SHAWNEE — Avedis Foundation’s board of directors has announced a $3.5 million grant to fully fund the redevelopment of Farrall Park in south Shawnee. Through a partnership with the City of Shawnee, the investment will transform the neighborhood park while honoring the legacy of Washington School and the historic Dunbar School nearby.
The City of Shawnee hosted a town hall meeting July 14 to announce the project, with Parks and Recreation Director Kerri Foster noting that Avedis Foundation’s investment will allow the city to accelerate the project which had been identified as a priority of Shawnee’s long-range park planning.
During the town hall meeting, attended by neighborhood residents, civic leaders, community stakeholders, and members of the Avedis Foundation board of directors, Avedis Foundation President and CEO Dr. Kathy Laster said that the Foundation’s board had recognized a gap in the City’s park plan that indicated a pressing need for a state-of-the-art park in the Farrall Park area.
“Our board is driven by a shared passion for making the city’s public spaces safe, inviting and accessible to all,” Laster said. “Recognizing that the Farrall Park/Dunbar Heights area lacked a modern park to serve its surrounding neighborhoods, the Avedis board reached out to the City of Shawnee to express our desire to redevelop the park. We learned that the city was developing a new Master Park Plan, but any new parks would be contingent upon the continuation of a half-cent sales tax. In that scenario, construction couldn’t be completed until 2029.”
The foundation board unanimously agreed that they didn’t want the community to wait that long, so Avedis stepped up to provide full funding for the park and restore the area sooner, Laster said.
“We are confident that the city can have the park completed by early 2028,” she said.
The project represents the next chapter in a longstanding partnership between Avedis Foundation and the City of Shawnee. Previous collaborations have included more than $7M in Avedis grants for improvements throughout Shawnee’s parks and community gathering places, beginning with Shawnee Splash and continuing with splash pads at Boy Scout and Optimist Parks, Airport Trails, Master Trails, sidewalks, walking trails, the Woodland Veterans Park Amphitheater, Expo Conference Center remodeling, and a public transit study, among others. Avedis has also granted $3.5M to Shawnee Public Schools for various improvements.
Following the foundation’s expressed commitment to fund the renovation, the City of Shawnee Parks & Recreation department incorporated the Farrall Park project in its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which was approved June 15. While Avedis Foundation is providing the funding, the City of Shawnee will lead the planning, design and construction of the park in collaboration with the community.
At July’s town hall meeting, both the city and Avedis Foundation invited residents to help shape the park’s amenities and design.
“This park will be the community’s park,” Foster said, “so we’re asking the community to share its vision for this space.”
Several attendees shared their enthusiasm for the project, including representatives of the Dunbar Heights Community Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to neighborhood beautification and preserving the area’s history. The group’s president, Timmy Young, echoed the importance of input from the neighboring area of Farrall Park during his comments at the town hall meeting.
Shakiya Morris, vice president of the Dunbar Heights Community Group, added, “This process gives us a chance to really hear the voices that were erased a long time ago.”
Gloria Wallace commented on the announcement of the project, saying, “I am so excited — it’s been a long time coming, but change has come.”
Local Pastor David Henry reflected on his role as an advocate for his community during his comments at the town hall.
“I encourage the neighbors and alumni from this area of Shawnee to come together in support of this project because only this community can tell this community’s story,” he said. “A lot of people have a deep, abiding connection to this space, and I hope they will see that repurposing the space will allow it to serve the neighborhood once again.”
The Farrall Park project will also honor and memorialize the neighborhood’s rich history. To accommodate the park’s expanded footprint, the former Washington School building — now abandoned — will be taken down. Project plans include the creation of permanent memorials to celebrate both Washington School and Dunbar School for their lasting contributions and significance to the surrounding community.
Ward 3 City Commissioner Chris Odneal attended the town hall meeting and expressed his optimism for the project. “This investment in Farrall Park will be impactful for our city’s youth for generations,” Odneal said.
Laster said after meeting with neighborhood residents, the Avedis board gained a deeper appreciation for what Washington School and Dunbar School have meant to generations of families.
“Our board has stressed the importance of input from residents, alumni and neighbors to design memorials that preserve those stories and celebrate their legacy for generations to come,” she said.
Foster concluded her presentation with an observation for the town hall attendees present.
“The history of this community will be honored, and future generations will enjoy a park that was created with the people of Shawnee — not just for the people of Shawnee,” she said. “When that day comes, I don’t want anyone to look around and think, ‘I wish I had been part of this.’ I hope each of you can look around with pride and say, ‘I helped make this happen.’ Thank you for believing in this project and community.”
