Eudora plans park and trail upgrades in new master plan

Douglas County families looking for a shorter drive than Lawrence can build a full park day in Eudora, where the city maintains about 30 acres of parkland and is using a new 10-year master plan to steer park, trail, facility and programming decisions through 2034. The City Commission authorized a contract with JEO Consulting Group on July 8, 2024, to develop the plan, and the city says it is meant to revitalize and expand parks, open spaces, trails, facilities, programming and recreation opportunities.

For easy kid-friendly outings, Bluejacket Park and Asher Cohn Park are the clearest starting points. Bluejacket is Eudora’s largest park and includes a 9-hole disc golf course, a walking track, picnic areas, playground equipment and a shelter. Asher Cohn Park adds a playground, picnic tables, a walking track and an ADA-accessible bike trail, giving families with younger children or strollers a low-stress option for a few hours outside.

The Aquatic Center is the city’s other built-in warm-weather draw. Its page lists pools, locker rooms and picnic areas, with daily admission set at $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students. Eudora’s recreation calendar is not limited to swimming, either: the city’s 2026 Fall Guide includes a new Youth Tennis Development Program along with returning soccer, volleyball and flag football.

For disc golf and field sports, Bluejacket Park and Babe Ruth Field cover two different kinds of weekend use. Bluejacket gives players a 9-hole course plus space to walk and picnic, while Babe Ruth Field serves baseball and softball. The city’s park list also includes Kerr Field, Lucy Kaegi Park, Paschal Fish Park, Pilla Park, Village Green at Nottingham, Wakarusa River Boat Ramp, West Sports Complex, Abraham Still Park and Acorn Park, which makes the network broad even in a compact footprint.

The master plan reflects what residents asked for. More than 130 people responded to the survey that helped shape it, and the wishlist included a splash pad, dog park, indoor pool and better connectivity between parks and trails. Ideas discussed alongside the plan included shade structures, free Wi-Fi, apps to help people learn the parks, pool renovations, Pilla Park upgrades, indoor pickleball courts and an updated gym floor. Eudora says the plan will also help prioritize funding and resources for maintenance and development, giving the city a 2034 schedule for the next round of park decisions.