Emporia locals rally to save Quaker Park

EMPORIA (KSNT) – Members of the Emporia community are making one last push to save a neighborhood park.

Advocates are petitioning to save the local Quaker Park. Last month, 27 News found the city is looking to sell the property for new housing development.

Groups for the park must produce 462 valid signatures by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 15 for the Emporia City Council to reconsider. 27 News spoke with a petition organizer this week to learn why they want the park to stay.

“It’s just a green space for everyone to enjoy, and you can’t enjoy it with houses on it,” said local Steve Rader. “There’s lots of children in my neighborhood that can’t go anywhere. It’s too far. Everywhere is just too far. That is the closest place for them. So, mainly just to keep it a green space for the elderly and the children.”

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The City of Emporia says the sale or transfer of city public park property is governed by state law. Before the sale of public park land, the city is required to publish a notice of its intent to sell the property and allow for a petition to be filed. This allows registered voters in Emporia to challenge the sale and call for a question to be put on a ballot in a general or special election.

Members of the protest say they are close to reaching their goal and will continue looking for more signatures. To learn more about the park, click here. To learn more about the petition to save the park, click here.

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