Today SPRING 2016
KRPA
KANSAS RECREATION & PARK ASSOCIATION
Engaging the
Community
More Than “Just” Sports
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Today
KRPA
KANSAS RECREATION & PARK ASSOCIATION
Our Mission To advance park and recreation opportunities that enhance the quality of life through education, communication and advocacy.
Our Vision The Kansas Recreation and Park Association is THE SOURCE for information which advances parks and recreation in the State of Kansas and beyond. An affiliate of the National Recreation and Park Association Kansas Recreation and Park Association 700 SW Jackson St. Suite 805, Topeka, Kansas 66603 www.krpa.org 785-235-6533
KRPA Board of Directors President – Brian Bascue (Newton) Past President – Jimmy Gibbs (Lawrence) President Elect – Kelby Hellwig (Johnson County) Secretary/Treasurer – Logan Wagler (Lenexa) Administration Branch – Chris Claxton (Leawood) Aquatics Branch – Jennifer Wegener (Shawnee County) Marketing/Customer Service Branch- Nicole Asquith (Olathe) Therapeutic Rec/Aging – Rhonda Pollard (Johnson County) Park and Natural Resources – Ramie Degraeve (Shawnee) Park Law Enforcement Branch – Kim Jones (KDWPT) Recreation Branch – Andrea Kelly (Chanute) Sports Branch – Nick Leon (Hutchinson)
Contents Letter from the President.....................................................4 Member Spotlight.................................................................5 Around Kansas.....................................................................6 Community Q&A.................................................................7 Members on the Move..........................................................8 Engaging the Community............................................10-13 More than “Just” Sports................................................14-15
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2016 KRPA Events
Members At Large
AUGUST 2016 24-25 Executive Forum, Leawood 26 Golf Tournament, Lawrence
West – Dan Pyle (Ellis) Central - Tony Finlay (Hutchinson) East - Dave Smothers (Merriam)
SEPTEMBER 2016 13-15 KRPA Tomorrow’s Leaders Institute, Linwood
Committees/Ex Officio
Contact Bonnie Simon at bonnie@krpa.org for registration details.
Awards – Caite Kendrick (Ft. Riley) Conference Planning - Brian Bascue (Newton) Citizen Board – Kim Galbraith (Blue Valley) Colleges and Universities – Janice Jewett (Pittsburg) Professional Development – Steve Herrig (Blue Valley) Public Policy – Scott Schoon (Winfield) / Nancy Wallerstein (Johnson County) Parliamentarian – Steve Friend (Baldwin City) KDWPT – Linda Lanterman (Pratt) KRPA Executive Director – Erika Devore
ON THE COVER: The Lenexa Arts Council coordinates with Parks and Recreation to offer the community a unique experience that combines theater, fitness and nature. Theatre Hikes brings people together for a leisurely paced hike and a livetheater play, with the beautiful park as the backdrop.
Editorial Staff Managing Editor – Erika Devore Contributing Staff – Bonnie Simon This magazine is the official quarterly publication of the Kansas Recreation and Park Association and is provided complimentary as part of membership in KRPA. The editorial committee encourages the submission of articles and photos for publication. Articles of approximately 1,000 words or less may be submitted, but may be edited for length and clarity.
Deadlines for articles, photos and advertising: Summer: June 30, 2016 Winter: December 12, 2016
Fall: September 29, 2016 Spring: April 6, 2017
KRPA reserves the right to approve all advertising in Kansas Recreation and Park Association. All requests for advertising should be made to Todd Pernsteiner, Account Manager, at 952-841-1111 or info@pernsteiner.com.
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KRPA Today - www.krpa.org • 3
Letter from the PRESIDENT By Brian Bascue, KRPA President
Welcome to spring – a season of new beginnings and weather that encourages enjoying the great outdoors. It’s the perfect tie-in to my first letter to you as the 2016 KRPA President.
Looking ahead, I’m eager to jump in as your KRPA President with the goals of completing the association’s strategic plan as well as evaluating our advocacy efforts in Topeka.
Inside these pages you’ll notice an outdoor theme with all of our articles and special features. Thanks to our KRPA administrative staff and marketing/customer service branch for their brainstorming sessions as they laid out this year’s publication and themes in focus.
As many of you know based on the number of action alerts coming through your e-mail inboxes, the Kansas Legislature has been active this session when it comes to bills concerning parks and recreation issues. As a member of KRPA and a parks and recreation professional, it’s important to educate yourself on the bills concerning our state’s commissions and departments. It’s becoming apparent that we need to have a strong voice in Topeka – and those strong voices come from you, our active, engaged members, in order to be successful in our advocacy efforts.
Each KRPA Today magazine will feature a different theme for each publication, as well as a few new sections. Such sections include highlighting a KRPA member as well as a Community Q &A, where we’ll ask representatives from various small and large communities about the pressing issues that are facing at their agencies. But back to spring…and getting outdoors. I love how spring allows you to stay active while enjoying the beauty of nature. I personally do this by getting out for a nice walk and spending time at the golf course. How do you enjoy the great outdoors this spring season? We’d love to hear what you do – feel free to post your adventures on our KRPA Facebook page using #springintotheoutdoors.
We will spend this year evaluating our current advocacy efforts and where we would like to be in the future. A huge thank-you goes out to our advocacy committee as well as our KRPA members who have contacted their legislators this year. Thank you for being that strong voice we need for parks and recreation in our state.
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Member Spotlight IF YOU COULD WORK IN ANY OF YOUR DEPARTMENTS FOR FUN FOR A WEEK, WHICH DEPARTMENT AND WHY? I would work in or Forestry section. Get to plant trees and ride the bucket truck that can lift me to about 30 feet in the air.
Troy Houtman Witchita Park and Recreation
FAVORITE SPORT TO PLAY OR WATCH: My favorite sport to play is basketball. Not as good as I was when I younger, but I have become more wily. WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I WANTED TO: Be an architect, but after one drafting class I learned I can’t draw very well. So I got a degree in Accounting. Sometimes things just work out. BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CAREER: The diversity of the work. Each day is a different task: budgeting, construction, idea generating, public engagement, creating fun, but most of all, leading!
YEARS IN KPRA: I have spent 1 ½ years in KPRA; however I have spent about 25 fantastic years in the industry of Parks & Recreation doing all kinds of jobs to include digging holes.
TOUGHEST PART OF JOB: Having to tell people “no”, which is not very often. Contrariwise finding ways to say “yes” is the best part of my job.
FUN FACT ABOUT YOUR DEPARTMENT: Wichita Park & Recreation has a great Mascot, Barry the Bison! He can do anything: golf, basketball, referee and so much more. Also, our department’s official name is spelled without an “s” in Park(s) and Recreation. We are the Park & Recreation Department and we have about 140 parks.
IF YOU HAD A WARNING LABEL, WHAT WOULD YOURS SAY? I don’t plan to stop!
FIRST JOB: I was a lifeguard at the age of 15 and I can still do that job. Some of my best memories were at the pool.
IF KRPA WERE TO REFER A MEMBER TO YOU FOR ADVICE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY YOUR SPECIALTY IS? Common sense. Most of our issues are not technical in a manner we don’t understand, it’s how we apply ourselves and communicate a problem.
KRPA Today - www.krpa.org • 5
Around KANSAS Granny Basketball brings back the Missouri-Kansas Border War
Foot Golf in Lindsborg
Lawrence Parks and Recreation celebrated the weekend of the Final Four by hosting a Granny Basketball tournament featuring the Kansas Grayhawkers, Gray Tornadoes and the Missouri Show Me Shooters. The teams are members of the national Granny Basketball League which has 25 teams in seven states. Players must be at least 50 and teams play by 1923 rules. New teams are forming in northeast Kansas. For more information or support for forming a team contact kansasgbb@gmail.com or visit their Facebook site: www.facebook.com/KansasGBB
The Lindsborg Municipal Golf Course will be bringing the new sport of Foot Golf to its course this summer. A proposal was approved by City Council on April 4, 2016 and golf superintendent Darrin Dorhman is planning to open the foot golf course in early May. Due to the recent financial struggles at the course, but also the golf industry in general, foot golf is a huge trend right now and something we saw as a possible solution to improve the financial woes. We are excited about adding it and providing our community with another amenity and fun activity for all to enjoy.
Manhattan Complexes get $2.65 Million Upgrade A $2.65 million improvement has been completed at Manhattan’s Anneberg Park Soccer Complex and Twin Oaks Sports Complex. Synthetic turf was installed on four baseball/ softball fields and one soccer field with new energy-efficient Musco Sports Lighting on all five fields. Benefits to the facility’s users include: improvement in playability of the fields, specifically assurance of playability related to rain and a consistent playing surface; sustainability through reduction of water usage, chemical application and efficiencies realized through energyefficient sports lighting; community access to the fields including drop-in use, availability of fields and an extended playing season; and reduction in daily field preparation and routine maintenance.
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Sunflower State Games Takes Over Kansas Senior Games The Sunflower State Games is pleased to announce that it has taken over operation of the Kansas Senior Games effective immediately. Formerly known as the Kansas Senior Olympics, the 2016 Kansas Senior Games will take place September 9-18 in Topeka. The Kansas Senior Games has been accepted as a full member of the National Senior Games Association, and will be a qualifying event for the 2017 National Senior Games set to take place in Birmingham, Alabama. The Kansas Senior Games is open to not only Kansans, but out of state residents as well. The event will consist of 17 different sports for ages 50+. Events include the following: Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Golf, Horseshoes, Pickleball, Racquetball, Race Walk, Road Race, Shuffleboard, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball. Complete event information will be released on March 1st, with registration set to open on May 1st. The 2016 Kansas Senior Games will open with the Celebration of Athletes on Friday, September 9th at the Big Gage Shelter in Gage Park.
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Contact Todd Pernsteiner for advertising information at: info@pernsteiner.com or (952) 841-1111. KRPA Today - www.krpa.org • 7
Members ON THE MOVE Craig Turner is from Emporia, Kansas. He started at Burlington Recreation Commission on February 29th as their sports coordinator. He graduated from Emporia State in 2013 and will graduate with his Master’s in 2016. His previous experience is with Emporia State Athletics and the Emporia Recreation Commission’s after school program RecXtra. Tarica Lare has been hired at the City of Manhattan from the City of Dodge City where she worked as the family director. She ran all child care and family programs including; after school programs, Schools Out programs, summer camp, early childhood classes, family special events, facility rentals and more. Tarica, her husband and two children relocated to Manhattan in March. In Manhattan she is running the Humanities Department which includes; senior and special populations programming, youth and adult arts/pottery classes, special events, Little Apple Summer Day Camp, transportation and CDL drivers, and some facility reservations.
“I was very interested in Manhattan Parks and Recreation and what they had to offer,” said Tarica. “I’m very excited to be a part of MPRD and look forward to my future with them. The environment in Manhattan is very positive and they have some great things happening here!” John Forbis, CPRP has been named Recreation Center Manager for Lenexa’s new recreation center, which is part of the major Lenexa Civic Center complex under construction in Lenexa City Center. John most recently worked at Power Wellness – Mercy Fitness Center as the Member Services Supervisor. He also has worked for the City of Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation as the Community Center Supervisor and for the City of Harrisonville Parks and Recreation as the Recreation Services Manager. John joined Lenexa Parks and Recreation on April 18. The new recreation facility is expected to open in the summer of 2017. Have an update for Members ON THE MOVE? Email it to Erika Devore, RD, KRPA Executive Director: erika@krpa.org.
KRPA Community Q&A Q: How do you encourage your community to be physically active?
A: SMALL COMMUNITY: DEERFIELD, POPULATION: 687
A: LARGE COMMUNITY: SHAWNEE COUNTY, POPULATION: 178,831
When asked this question, I took it personally as opposed to what Deerfield Recreation Commission does because I feel very connected to the people in my community.
In our Master Plan research the public identified trails and natural areas as their most desired amenity in our parks. Our plan is to extend our nearly 50 miles of trails to 150. Daily, walkers, joggers and bicyclists daily use our two longest trails – the 8-mile Shunga Trail and the 7.2-mile Lake Shawnee Trail. With our partnership with Topeka Metro Bikes, we continually increase the number of locations at which people can rent commuter bikes to get to work, run errands or just for fun. Our sports activities offer fitness opportunities for youth to adults. Recreation center classes and activities range from Pilates to Zumba, martial arts and sports performance training. As we say, with nearly 50 miles of trails, 2,652 acres of parks and 320 annual days of sporting activities, there’s a lot to do in Shawnee County.
I teach or participate in fitness classes. I pick people up for classes, giving them “No Excuse” to skip. Often I am physically on the court or the field to assist coaches with youth sports practices. I encourage families to exercise together with fun special events, most recently a “Merrython.” We offer discountspromotions for extended memberships to our fitness center. Most importantly, I visit with patrons about how they are feeling, how their workouts are going; praising their successes and encouraging them to keep up the good work. Cindy Crandall, Director, Deerfield Recreation Commission
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Mike McLaughlin, Communications & Public Information Supervisor, Shawnee County Parks & Recreation
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Engaging the
Community By Susanne Neely – Lenexa Parks and Recreation and Nichole Asquith – Olathe Parks and Recreation
Engaging the community in activities that are good for the mind, body and soul is something we all strive for each season. Finding the program that makes your community tick can bring about not only great change, but engagement like you never imagined. Lenexa and Olathe have done just that through interactive programs that get their communities moving and engaged beyond the traditional sports and enrichment programs.
KRPA Today - www.krpa.org • 11
A LOOK AT OLATHE‌ Over the last four years Olathe has worked to develop three areas of community health and engagement. In 2015, we combined these focuses into our award-winning Healthy Communities Initiative. Taking a look at the whole person and the variety of interest areas and needs for Olathe was the key behind the development of the three area approach including, Community Gardens Partnership, Communities That Care and the Get Active challenge.
Community Gardens Partnership A few small gardens existed prior to 2013, the Community Garden collaborative effort has created a network of community gardens throughout the city of Olathe. Members advocate for community gardens, share resources, and teach healthy eating practices. This is a robust partnership including Olathe Medical Center, K-State Research and Extension – Johnson County, KCK Community Gardens and the Olathe faith based community. Program costs for Community Gardens include initial preparation of the land and workshops provided to the community. These minimal cost are covered by workshop participation fees, city support and grants.
Communities That Care Communities That Care (CTC), conceived in 2008, is a group of community members working to address substance abuse in adolescents by inviting a wide variety of stakeholder groups to identify priorities and brainstorm solutions. This partnership is based on community involvement from an advisory board that includes the Olathe Public Schools, City of Olathe, Johnson County Mental Health, Johnson County Government and private citizens. Funded through grants and excess City Alcohol sales tax dollars for education the program has a wide reach with education campaigns and supports local events for young teens and their families.
Get Active Challenge Engaging residents through fun and new challenges each month, Get Active encourages residents to explore the community, engage in social media and have the opportunity to win great prizes. Each month a new set of five challenges is posted to social media that encompass the community as a whole, this may include attending a free special event, taking a picture with a staff person, visiting a park or taking a recreation class. Each time a participant completes a challenge they simply post an image to social media with the tag #OlatheActive. 12 • KRPA Today - www.krpa.org
Engaging the Community The idea is to keep the challenges as close to free as possible and allow flexibility by only having to complete 4 of 5 to qualify for the prize drawing.
Encouraging residents to lead active, healthy lives is a priority for Lenexa Parks and Recreation. To promote healthy active lifestyles, Lenexa provides a variety of programs and events that integrate the outdoors and fitness elements.
new features were added to the app, including a step counter. Through the use of the app, Lenexa has been able to track engagement in the Playground Passport and other activities more thoroughly. In 2015, the city was able to determine Playground Passport participants made at least 2500 playground visits. Created in house by City of Lenexa staff, the app can be downloaded for free from the iOS App Store or for Android on Google Play. For more information, visit www.lenexa.com/ parks/ILikeLenexaApp.html.
Playground Passport
Coffee Walk and Talk
Regular park visits can make a difference in residents’ health. By increasing their park visits, children are not only able to improve their physical strength and health, but they can also address their social and emotional health, as well.
Walking is a great way to stay healthy and physically fit, and it can be a great way to develop friendships. Several years ago, Lenexa Parks and Recreation teamed up with a community volunteer who was looking for an opportunity to combine her interest in fitness, meeting new friends, socializing and enjoying coffee to create a new program, Coffee Walk and Talk.
A LOOK AT LENEXA…
Lenexa introduced Playground Passport in 2012 to encourage families and their children to visit Lenexa’s playgrounds. Kids are motivated to complete a fun challenge and solve a secret message on their passport. The program guides families to each playground where they find a sign with a number and letter, which enables them to unlock the code. Once they solve the puzzle, they turn in their passport for a t-shirt, small toy, and they are entered in a drawing to win a family prize package. The program budget is about $300 per year, which covers signage, printing and prizes. Participation in Playground Passport is free. The program has been successful and other Kansas communities have created similar programs.
I Like Lenexa App In 2015 Lenexa introduced a mobile app for residents, visitors, and anyone else who “Likes Lenexa” so they can engage with the community in a fun way through the use of technology and have access to information about events, parks, pools, art and playgrounds. In addition, community members have the option of completing their Playground Passport through the app instead of using a paper map. Using the “I Like Lenexa” app, participants can complete tasks to earn achievements and points, and cash those points in for Lenexa-themed prizes. The app also features up-to-date news and a Lenexa weather forecast. In April 2016,
The group gathers weekly at a local trail, enjoys a leisurely paced two-mile walk, and then meets at a local coffee shop to visit. The only cost to participants is for their own cup of coffee. Since its inception in 2008, the program has grown to include about 40 regular participants who have developed close friendships, even outside of the program. Coffee Walk and Talk is coordinated by the volunteer and requires only a small amount of staff time.
Get Outdoors Lenexa Each year in June, to coincide with National Get Outdoors Day, Lenexa Parks and Recreation hosts Get Outdoors Lenexa, a family event aimed at encouraging residents of all ages to enjoy a fun day at the park. Held at Black Hoof Park, this free, morning-long event is jam packed with family friendly games, challenges, demonstrations, yoga, safety tips, geocaching, and a kids’ fishing derby.
Theatre Hikes The Lenexa Arts Council coordinates with Parks and Recreation to offer the community a unique experience that combines theater, fitness and nature. Theatre Hikes brings people together for a leisurely paced hike and a livetheater play, with the beautiful park as the backdrop.
Participants are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair and to wear comfortable shoes. The hike leader guides the group to the first set, the patrons settle in, get comfortable and watch the first scene of the play. Then the group packs up and hikes to the next scene, and so on. In all, participants can expect to walk about two miles. Theatre Hikes is underwritten by the Lenexa Arts Council and is offered as a free event for the public.
Art of Lenexa Contest A Lenexa Girl Scout approached the city with an idea about how she could help the community by combining two thing she loves – art and Lenexa’s parks. Understanding the health benefits of spending time at the park, and the community engagement value of creating and sharing art, she proposed coordinating a new art contest that would involve both. Her idea was to encourage community members to visit a Lenexa park for inspiration, and then create a work of art that they would share with the community. The Lenexa Arts Council and Parks and Recreation agreed to work with the Girl Scout on the new contest called Art of Lenexa. The first art contest, held in 2015, attracted 24 artists of all ages who submitted 40 pieces of art. The art was displayed in the Lenexa City Hall Art Gallery in February 2016, and awards were presented at the artists’ reception. The Arts Council considered the contest a success and has agreed to continue it in 2016 with a new theme – the HeART of Lenexa Contest.
ENGAGEMENT TIPS: • Your community can be a big support for your programs and events. Consider reaching out to local businesses and other community partners to sponsor the event or provide activities, prizes or other items needed to make your event successful. • Engage volunteers who have a passion for something you are trying to accomplish. • Keep programs inexpensive to bring the whole community to the table • Engage with prizes and fun social media tags
KRPA Today - www.krpa.org • 13
More Than “Just”
By Amy Conkling – Hutchinson Recreation Commission
Hutchinson Recreation Commission is going beyond the traditional recreational approach and branching out through a newly created neighborhood development division. In March 2015 Hutchinson Recreation hired its first neighborhood development director, Elizabeth Grilliot, who has a Master’s in Public Health, to dig deeper with the agency’s vision to inspire all residents to actively enjoy a healthy life. “Public parks and recreation is neighborhood development,” says Tony Finlay, executive director of Hutch Rec. “If we are providing facilities and programs with no goal or measurement of improving the community, we might as well work for
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facilities that are membership-driven and not community-driven.” The neighborhood development division stemmed from a former Community Development position that was housed in Reno County’s Chamber of Commerce. When the position became vacant in late 2014, the Chamber, City of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community Foundation, and Hutch Rec agreed to a new approach that would house the division at the recreation commission. “The position was repurposed to focus on the redevelopment of neighborhoods through the lens of parks, wellness, built environment, and recreation programs and facilities with a strong emphasis on public engagement,” Finlay says. The work Grilliot does goes beyond the bricks and mortar of houses and
sidewalks, but also takes a look at the social relationships and “togetherness” that greatly impacts the quality of life. A year into the division, and Grilliot and community partners – namely the Hutchinson Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative - have identified two neighborhoods to work on as they work with residents on park improvements, housing issues, access to health care, healthy foods, and trails, as well as the future creation of neighborhood centers. Grilliot spent a good portion of the past year meeting one-on-one with neighborhood residents inside their own homes, where they discussed why they lived in their neighborhood as well as what they loved and what they would like to see changed. She also met with both neighborhood groups about a dozen different times and helped facilitate a
Sports Neighborhood Development division showcases Hutchinson Recreation’s emphasis of community spirit and active living
“Public parks and recreation is neighborhood development,” says Tony Finlay, executive director of Hutch Rec. “If we are providing facilities and programs with no goal or measurement of improving the community, we might as well work for facilities that are membership-driven and not community-driven.”
neighborhood-wide visioning process this winter with an expert in the field. “By doing this from a neighborhood level, we’re taking a different approach and focusing more on the neighborhood residents and the immediate environments they live in,” Grilliot says. One of the neighborhoods in particular near Avenue A Elementary School includes youth and families who historically do not participate in Hutch Rec or other community recreational activities. Grilliot works collaboratively with the school’s social worker and neighborhood center director to find ways to bring opportunities to them and increase quality of life. This winter, Hutch Rec hosted weekly indoor basketball for the elementary students, as well as Zumba classes for the adults. Hutch Rec also hosted a free family recreation
night in late April that featured sports, wellness, and enrichment activities as well as healthy snacks for all ages. “We’re able to find what activities we can bring to them, but also help them with the basics of activity registration,” Grilliot says. “We want to see them get involved in these activities that are not only beneficial in health, but also show them the importance of engagement among others and the benefits of being involved in their neighborhood.” Grilliot’s work goes beyond the schools and neighborhoods and branches out into the entire community. A portion of Hutch Rec’s neighborhood development division goes to overseeing various grant efforts and specific projects with partnering organizations, such as the bicycle-pedestrian master plan that was
recently completed in Hutchinson. Grilliot also oversees various Bike Month activities including the Bike to Work Day and the Bike Walk Hutch website. Grilliot, along with Justin Combs, City of Hutchinson park and facilities director, have worked collaboratively in the public engagement process of designing Ashmeade Park as well as access points to a multi-use trail on the edge of the Avenue A neighborhood. She and others are also working behind the scenes on developing a community garden in a vacant lot in the same neighborhood, too. “We’re continually working on changing the culture to improve biking and walking in Reno County,” Grilliot says. “We are the advocates for policy and environmental changes to improve opportunities for walking and biking in our community.”
KRPA Today - www.krpa.org • 15
Today
KRPA
KANSAS RECREATION & PARK ASSOCIATION
Kansas Recreation and Park Association 700 SW Jackson St., Suite 805 Topeka, Kansas 66603
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