Guest column
by Lou Braswell, Leavenworth Road Association
Leavenworth Road will be closed to through traffic from June 4 through June 19 from 38th to 55th streets.
Travel will detour to Parallel via 38th or 55th during that time period. Yes, the businesses will be open and yes, you can get there by taking the detour. Leavenworth Road, from 55th to 59th, was closed earlier for a brief period from April 2 to 17.
Metal street lights are going up along the construction area of Leavenworth Road. We are becoming so pretty. Think about giving these workers a high sign once in a while, they certainly have stuck it out in the heat and I have not seen a frown from any of them.
The Leavenworth Road project includes repaving the road, as well as installing some utilities underground, with storm sewer, sidewalk and curb upgrades.
The annual Ed and Ione Trapp Kids Fishing Derby is coming together, with registration forms, weigh station forms, youth back number, and hot dog coupons. The Kids’ Free Fishing Derby will be Saturday, June 9, at Wyandotte County Lake Park, at the kids’ pond. Registration is at 7 a.m. June 9, followed by derby fishing from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and a trophy presentation at 10:30 a.m. Participants should bring their fishing gear. A free hot dog coupon will be given to kids who register.
The event is sponsored by the Leavenworth Road Association and Wyandotte County Parks. Ralph Golubski, John Cantwell and John Zawacki will be co chairing the event. Parks and Rec will be supplying the fish, the lake (Kids’ Pond), tables, chairs, grill, electricity, along with their employees where needed. Other LRA members and volunteers where help where needed. Volunteers are appreciated.
The Summer Youth Program is underway. We have received quite a few applications with more on their way. The Teen Team that comes from other states is gearing up, reading our 16 applications for a variety of services needed. The directors will be in town June 11 to survey some of those requests, to determine what, who and why they will need in July.
The June Leavenworth Road Association meeting will include a potluck dinner and social hour at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd, Kansas City, Kansas.
The guest speaker will be from the KCK Community Policing Department, with a program on what it feels like to have “impaired vision.” They will have goggles and there will be an opportunity to be part of relays, with goggles.
LRA will provide a main dish of Sylvester Smith’s chicken wings, with those attending bringing a picnic dish to share. After dinner, the LRA group will move to the gym to hear the Community Policing presentation.
Lou Braswell is the executive director of the Leavenworth Road Association.