Students Project Turns Vision to Reality: New Dog Park at Welborn Park

Students Project Turns Vision to Reality: New Dog Park at Welborn Park

Published on November 17, 2025

From Senior Project to Funded Reality: Washington High School Students Lead Effort to Revitalize Wyandotte Park

What started as a high school English class assignment has grown into a fully funded, community-supported initiative that will soon bring a new dog park to Wyandotte County. Thanks to the passion and persistence of three Washington High School students, Samantha Osorio, Daniel Angel-Franco, and Maritza Hernandez, a once-overlooked park is on its way to becoming a vibrant, pet-friendly space for residents.

On Monday, November 17th, Unified Government Officials, along with community members and the inspiring students celebrated this new feature at Welborn Park with an official ribbon cutting ceremony. Many residents and furry friends enjoyed this new spaced crafted for fun and enjoyment.

A Passion Project with Purpose

The project began as a senior English class assignment. Tasked with identifying ways to improve Wyandotte County, the students surveyed their peers and asked a bold question: Would you choose to keep living in Wyandotte? The majority said no. Through additional research and community surveys, they discovered a common complaint: limited recreational spaces and a lack of dog parks.

When asked what led them to take on this project, Samantha shared, "We wanted to find ways to be able to improve Wyandotte County, and why we wanted to continue living here."

Motivated by their love for their community and their own experiences as dog owners, Samantha, Daniel, and Maritza decided to take action. Their focus turned to Welborn Park, located at 2520 N 55th St, which is one of the most underutilized parks in the system and is close to where they live.

From Classroom to City Hall

After presenting their findings to their senior class, their English teacher, Amanda Wisdom, encouraged them to take the next step. They contacted Wyandotte County Parks and Recreation, began attending public meetings, and presented their proposal to Mayor Garner and county commissioners. Through it all, they remained directly involved, continuing their advocacy even after graduation thanks to the guidance and encouragement of Ms. Wisdom.

They reflected on how surreal it feels to see their vision becoming reality. Samantha shared, "It feels kinda crazy. At that time, I was just seventeen, and y'all were just listening to little kids." What started as a simple idea from a high school classroom is now a fully funded community project making a tangible difference in their neighborhood.

UG Parks Manager Vincent Billaci praised the students' dedication and growth throughout the process, saying, "It has been truly inspiring to watch these emerging community leaders take their idea from concept to reality. They stepped outside their comfort zones, presented before multiple boards and committees, and consistently advocated for funding to make this meaningful addition to our park system and community possible."

Big Wins for a Big Idea

Their determination paid off in a big way. The Wyandotte County Parks Foundation was awarded a $24,000 grant from the Unified Government's Hollywood Casino Grant Program specifically for the dog park project, an effort sparked by the students' advocacy.

That funding was further supported by:

• $20,000 commitment from the TURF Council
• $15,000 from the Wyandotte County Parks Foundation

In total, $59,000 has been committed to the project so far.

The Unified Government Parks and Recreation Department also pledged in-kind assistance to help cover any remaining costs associated with completing the dog park. Additionally, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has offered to extend an existing water line in the park, ensuring water access to the new facility.

The project's funding success was made possible by a unique collaboration between public agencies, private partners, and community organizations. As District 8 Commissioner, Andrew Davis described it, "So often, our youth share great ideas but don't have the resources to make them real. This project is different. Thanks to the collaboration of the Monarchs, Wyandotte County Parks Foundation, UG Parks and Recreation, unions, and the 8th District's casino grant allocation, we made it happen together. When our public and private partners join forces, we get things done! I'm proud to see it rooted here in midtown, bringing barks and laughter to the Welborn area and beyond."

A Dog Park Designed for Everyone

The goal is to provide a safe, clean, and welcoming space where pet owners can gather, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors. The new dog park is 1 acre, with a fenced in area with two separate sections, one for small dogs and another for larger breeds.

"It gives people a safe place to take their dogs, and it brings them together with others they might never have met before," said Dr. Jane Philbrook, District 6 Park Board member and Vice President of The Wyandotte County Parks Foundation. "The value of the park is not only for pets but also for people. It also benefits mental health, especially for older adults. Having a dog helps people stay engaged longer and significantly reduces the risk of dementia or mental decline. A dog park encourages both mental activity and social connection. It also brings older and younger people together, helping build a stronger sense of community."

A Lasting Legacy

This vision is no longer just an idea. The project is currently in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Throughout this process, the students learned how time-intensive and complex local government work can be, but they also saw firsthand how persistence and care can earn trust and lead to real collaboration. They were involved in meetings with city leaders, including the mayor and commissioners, and made meaningful contributions at every stage.

When reflecting on what they learned, Maritza shared, "Seeing that you guys actually care and that you aren't just brushing this off. That you guys are eager to listen and help us come up with ideas."

Their experience showed that young people can make a difference when given a seat at the table. This effort not only improves a local park but also serves as an inspiring example of civic engagement. The encouragement they received from their teacher helped them believe in their ability to lead change, and they stayed committed even after high school graduation.

The dog park is more than just a new community space. It is a symbol of what can happen when students are empowered to speak up, get involved, and work together for the good of their neighborhoods.

Thanks to the advocacy of Samantha, Daniel, and Maritza, and the support of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS, Wyandotte County will soon welcome a new and much-needed community dog park, one that began as a classroom idea and is now a fully funded project set to be completed by the end of this year.

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