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| Attendees of the grand opening of the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway Overlook put the structure to good use as they look out over Cheyenne Bottoms. |
Earlier this week, Barton County celebrated the grand opening of the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway Overlook along K-4, which sits atop 100-foot bluffs encircling the Cheyenne Bottoms basin on all three sides.
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| A view of Cheyenne Bottoms |
The Cheyenne Bottoms is a wetland area located in Barton
County and the largest inland marsh in the United States. It is a critical
stopover place for migratory birds and waterfowl.
Construction of this project began earlier this spring. Federal funds were provided through the Kansas Department of Transportation for the construction, engineering and inspection costs of this project. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism shared the design costs with Barton County.
Barry McManaman, Barton County Engineer, said that the event went well despite the wet weather. Approximately 40 people, including representatives from KDOT, KDWPT, and Barton County, along with members of the public, braved the rain to attend the ribbon cutting.
Construction of this project began earlier this spring. Federal funds were provided through the Kansas Department of Transportation for the construction, engineering and inspection costs of this project. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism shared the design costs with Barton County.
Barry McManaman, Barton County Engineer, said that the event went well despite the wet weather. Approximately 40 people, including representatives from KDOT, KDWPT, and Barton County, along with members of the public, braved the rain to attend the ribbon cutting.
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| Attendees of the grand opening of the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway Overlook put the structure to good use as they look out over Cheyenne Bottoms. |
McManaman said that this scenic overlook would be a big
attraction for not only for local residents, but also those traveling the
wetlands.
“We anticipate there will be quite a few people who will stop in to see the Cheyenne bottoms,” McManaman said. “It’s been a project a long time in the making, and the Barton County Commissioners are thrilled to see it done. It’s a pretty neat facility and we are pleased with the way it turned out.”
“We anticipate there will be quite a few people who will stop in to see the Cheyenne bottoms,” McManaman said. “It’s been a project a long time in the making, and the Barton County Commissioners are thrilled to see it done. It’s a pretty neat facility and we are pleased with the way it turned out.”
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| Attendees of the grand opening of the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway Overlook put the structure to good use as they look out over Cheyenne Bottoms. |
The Kansas Wetlands Education Center oversees interactive exhibits, education
programs and outreach with both the Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National
Wildlife refuge.
Curtis Wolf, the site manager for the KWEC, said that the addition of the overlook would benefit visitors.
“It’s a good thing to have here because it is another attraction that we are able to utilize and provide for our visitors,” Wolf said. “We can tell them about the overlook and provide them with directions so they can visit it on their own.”
Wolf said that the overlook will also be used with the van tours now that improvements have been made and additional projects are planned to compliment the location.
“We are going to be doing some exhibit renovations in the next year. And all of these improvements go to better the visitor experience,” Wolf said.
Wolf said that the partnership between the state, KWEC, and local entities made this project possible.
“From the KWEC’s standpoint we appreciate the various entities that came together to cooperate and continue to add features to the wetlands and help the visitors experience them the best they can,” Wolf said.
Curtis Wolf, the site manager for the KWEC, said that the addition of the overlook would benefit visitors.
“It’s a good thing to have here because it is another attraction that we are able to utilize and provide for our visitors,” Wolf said. “We can tell them about the overlook and provide them with directions so they can visit it on their own.”
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| Cheyenne Bottoms Kiosk. |
Wolf said that the overlook will also be used with the van tours now that improvements have been made and additional projects are planned to compliment the location.
“We are going to be doing some exhibit renovations in the next year. And all of these improvements go to better the visitor experience,” Wolf said.
Wolf said that the partnership between the state, KWEC, and local entities made this project possible.
“From the KWEC’s standpoint we appreciate the various entities that came together to cooperate and continue to add features to the wetlands and help the visitors experience them the best they can,” Wolf said.
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