An Emporia park is saved, after community rallies together

EMPORIA (KSNT) - The controversy over an Emporia park is over.

On Wednesday, May 1, Quaker Park in Emporia was removed from the surplus property list. The City was trying to sell the park for a housing development but now says Quaker Park will not be turned into housing. The city gathered to make this decision during the City Commission Agenda Meeting. 

By starting a petition, people in the community collected more than 800 signatures to save the park, with only 462 signatures needed. The city commission validated the advocate's efforts today in the meeting. 

KSNT 27 News received a statement from Emporia from City Manager Trey Cocking, regarding the decision.

"My hat is off to the petition organizers for their hard work and dedication to this project," Cocking says. "this is how democracy works."

After 27 News confirmed the decision, we contacted Steve Rader, one of the petition's organizers, for a statement. 

"All I can say is I'm super proud of my community and myself for all the effort and care that went into saving Quaker Park," Rader said. "It's so wonderful to see people coming together peacefully and getting something accomplished. And it also wouldn't have happened if there weren't several people out there on their own time with petitions. Very proud people right now!" 

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