Spring Hill celebrated the new Veterans Memorial Lake Jetties at Veterans Park, a project made possible by an $87,000 donation from the W.R. and Floy A. Sauey Family Foundation. The ribbon cutting event, which took place before the Spring Hill Recreation Commission (SHRC) Annual Fishing Derby, brought together city leaders, community members, and the foundation's local representative to commemorate the park's latest enhancements.
After opening remarks from SHRC Director and Spring Hill City Council member Brian Peel, Mayor Joe Berkey welcomed community members and voiced appreciation to the donors for their generous support. He then shared a conversation he had with someone from out of town who regularly visits Veterans Park to fish. Berkey noted that the person, who uses a wheelchair, appreciates that the fishing jetties and sidewalks provide wheelchair access from the parking lot to the lake's edge.
Next, Mayor Berkey introduced Tim Stevens of Seats Inc. and the W.R. and Floy A. Sauey Family Foundation, who shared why the foundation chose to support this cause. "This project embodies our commitment to enhancing community life and creating spaces for families to enjoy nature and each other's company," Stevens said. He also expressed gratitude for the veterans in whose honor the park is dedicated. "We hope these jetties bring joy and countless memories to all who visit," Stevens said.
The two fishing jetties in City Lake were part of many recent upgrades at Veterans Park. Construction of the jetties was completed in mid-2023. The rest of the improvements, including Veterans Memorial Plaza and the jetties' dedication plaques, were finished months later.
The ceremony and fishing derby coincided with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' annual free fishing weekend, which allows anyone to fish in Kansas without a license.