Jane Anderson, Update on Smoky Hill River Renewal Project

On this episode on King in the Community, we hear an update on the Smoky Hill River renewal project from Jane Anderson, executive director at the Friends of the River Foundation.

The river renewal project dates back to the 1970s. Listen in as Anderson explains how the Smoky Hill River became a damaged ecosystem, how potential Corps of Engineer dollars will restore the river to its original flow allowing wildlife back to the area, and the ways the river will provide a recreational and relaxing area for visitors and citizens.

Jane also shares with us volunteer opportunities to work with the Friends of the River Foundation. Mark your calendars, Oct. 14, The Salina Fall Fix-Up will take place from 8 a.m. to Noon. 

"We'll be doing a cleanup project on the riverway or we may be helping out in partnership with Parks and Recreation," Anderson said. "If you want to do something that matters, come out and join us. It's a great way you can do things for your community and really feel good about yourself too."

The river cleanup isn't the only community event the Friends of the River is planning. The organization invites the community to attend its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 28, unveiling half mile of a concrete walking located near the river.

"It's about an eight to 10 foot concrete trail is in construction right now we're going to have a grand opening on October 28, at 10 a.m. for anyone to come," Anderson said. "We will have a few booths, drawings for prizes, and you'll get to walk a half mile and see 'Oh, my goodness this is surprisingly beautiful.'"

Anderson, who has worked as executive director for the Friends of the River for eight years, said one of the key things she's learnd through this project is to be patient.

"I've learned to be patient, it's not my best quality, but the project will become such a grand, beautiful project, we all have come to the conclusion that it's worth waiting for," Anderson said. "It's taken a long time to get to this right and people have been a little frustrated which I don't blame them," Anderson said. "We've been frustrated too, but it's just the nature of it. I encourage the community to come help with the Fall Fix Up cleanup project and come check out the new trails at the YMCA and help us celebrate the first real construction project of this Smoky Hill River renewal."