HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutch Rec and the city parks department will host two meetings later this month to continue piecing together the look of the city’s future recreational needs.

Green Play, an organization taken on by Hutch Rec, will complete a study of the city’s park and rec facilities. The study is being funded through a grant from Blue Cross of Kansas.

Two surveys have been sent out to gather public input. Hutch Rec Director Tony Finlay says, while all of the data won’t be disclosed until the meetings, there have been few surprises:

 

Finlay says one thing that has come to light during the survey is use of the Arkansas River for recreation:

 

Green Play and Hutch Rec will hold a public meeting Feb. 25 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Dillon Nature Center. That will be followed by a joint meeting with Hutch Rec and the City Council on Feb. 26. Green Play will then submit a final draft for the city and Hutch Rec to consider by late spring.