HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutch Rec wants to gather public input and find out what people want in their recreation department in regard to activities and services offered. A public forum is being held Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy.

“Our goal is to lay out a plan for the next five to seven years and what services look like from our city parks and obviously our recreation services from Hutch Rec,” General Manager Tony Finlay said.

Finlay says the study is not just for finding recreational opportunities, it’s also to find ways to make Hutchinson residents healthier. “One of the things that is unique about this is the health aspect, so with this project we are looking at a health focus,” Finlay said. “As you know, the health statistics for Reno County are not great.”

Finlay hopes the findings of the study will go toward finding better ways and opportunities to make the city’s population healthier.

The study is being funded through a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield.