27 February 2024
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The future of the Kansas River in Topeka is taking shape thanks to input from locals in a recent survey.
Topekans were asked to give their thoughts and opinions regarding plans put forth by the Topeka Riverfront Advisory Council (RAC) in December last year. The results of the survey were posted to the RAC’s website on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
Ashley Gilfillan, president of Downtown Topeka and director of River Strategies, told 27 News in January that the survey generated a lot of discussion in the community. The survey’s results will be used to help guide another round of engagement with Topekans this April on the ongoing riverfront project.
“The first round of surveying had over 1400 responses, which is good for our size of community,” Gilfillan said on Jan. 30. “The first round of results isn’t very telling as they’re just beginning to define the project. It addresses a broader scope to help prioritize different projects within the initiative.”
Some highlights of the survey regarding general responses received include the following:
74% agree or strongly agree the river is an untapped resource
57% agree or strongly agree the river is a beautiful community asset
59% believe the river is important to Topeka’s economy
30% view the river unfavorably
51% view the river as unsafe for recreation
79% visit the riverfront less than three times a year
The survey also revealed which activities and amenities Topekans find to be the most appealing in regards to future development along the riverfront.
Most appealing activites
935 votes – walking/jogging paths
854 votes – picnic areas
743 votes – play areas
727 votes – kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding
622 votes – biking
Most appealing amenities
1,115 votes – enhanced lighting and safety features
960 votes – trails
870 votes – outdoor entertainment/event space
858 votes – pedestrian bridge connecting the downtown area and the North Topeka Arts District
816 votes – river access for on-water recreation and nature viewing
The RAC and other partners like the Greater Topeka Partnership (GTP) are looking to enact sweeping changes along the Kansas River in the Capital City. 27 News spoke with organizers for the RAC last year about some of their proposed plans to change the riverfront.
You can learn more about the Topeka Riverfront Activation Plan and see the full survey results by visiting its website by clicking here. A copy of the survey results can also be found in the document below:
Topeka Survey Results One Pager by Matthew Self on Scribd
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf