Recreation in Fort Scott

Riverfront Park

N. National Ave Fort Scott KS 66701

low Activity Level

Enjoy a leisurely stroll on the Belltown Trail on the north side of Riverfront Park.The 1/2 mile, eight-foot wide trail is a flat, asphalted, scenic loop that offers a treed park setting along the banks of the Marmaton River. The Belltown Trail is lit with LED lighting from dusk to dawn and is complete with benches for a rest. The park also features a large pavilion for picnickers and gatherings. On the south side, you’ll enjoy river Loop Road with a roundabout garden spot, an observation deck on the Marmaton River, as well as some amazing Fort Scott history murals on the Highway 69 overpass.

RIVERFRONT PARK HISTORY:

In 2005 the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fort Scott established the Fort Scott Visioning Committee to explore opportunities to improve quality of life in Fort Scott. Public meetings were held where citizens, working in teams, were given the opportunity to suggest improvement ideas. From the dozens of ideas compiled, a team of citizens selected the top five ideas to be implemented. A pair of co-conveners were chosen for each of the five ideas. Each pair of co-conveners formed their team. The Developing the River as an Asset was one of those five teams.

In April of 2006 the Developing the River as an Asset team had its first meeting. The team developed a conceptual plan for improvements to the area along the river just north of downtown Fort Scott. In January 2007 the team decided that the establishment of a riverfront authority would enhance public funding opportunities for the project. In February 2007 Senate Bill 321 was introduced into the Kansas Legislature to create the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority. The bill to create the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority was passed and was signed by Governor Sebelius on April 27, 2007.

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