Fort Leavenworth community concerns heard during outreach forum

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas - Installation leaders briefed on Garrison organizations and listened to the questions and concerns of audience members during the Community Information Forum Sept. 2, 2026, at the Frontier Conference Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

"This is a two-way street tonight," said Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Special Events Coordinator Zach Stephens, who served as the forum moderator. "It's an opportunity for our organizations on post to put out what is going on here, what's important to the community, but just as importantly, it's a chance for you to ask questions, give us feedback, give us comments, compliments or anywhere in between."

Stephens said feedback is important and that the questions and concerns brought up that evening would be evaluated and followed up on later, as needed.

"This is the first time we're doing this since I've been in Garrison command, and I think it's been a while since we've done an event like this," Fort Leavenworth Garrison Commander Col. Todd Sunday said. "The intent for this tonight is to give another opportunity for people from the community to interact with us so we can get information out, share what's going on, and then also get some feedback directly from you all."

Sunday said that Fort Leavenworth supports Combined Arms Command's mission, and that part of the Garrison's mission is elevating quality of life and strengthening the infrastructure for the future.

"We know we have some of the oldest inventory in both housing and government buildings and office space, and so that comes with a lot of money and responsibilities, and so we're dedicated in doing what we can to make sure that that infrastructure preserves its historic legacy and goes well into the future," he said.

Presentations

Directorate of Public Works

Jason Wendel, acting director of the Directorate of Public Works, briefed on ongoing and upcoming projects, including the pavement project at the Shoppette and Burger King that is requiring changes to entrances, the new 37,000-square-foot Child Development Center being built off Hancock Avenue, and the phased Grant Park project, which has so far included the construction of a new tennis court, pickleball courts and soccer field.

"In the spring of next year, we'll look to replace the basketball court (and) we'll look to stretch a walking path to connect the path we just finished on the north half," Wendel said. "We're also working on the contract efforts to replace or to repair Grant Pool so we can have that back open for the season."

Future projects for Grant Park include playground replacement and the addition of a splash pad, park pavilion and bathroom.

Wendel also briefed on multiple repaving projects that DPW and Michaels Military Housing are working on in multiple areas around post.

Religious Support Office

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Eric Bryan briefed on the installation's religious programs.

"Our chapels are about the freedom of expression of religion for all faith groups," he said. "Our chaplains are here to make sure that we have that constitutional need met for every faith group."

Bryan said the vision of leaders growing leaders starts with youth.

"We're very focused on the next generation... actually helping kids understand the complexities of this generation, (and) how to use their faith appropriately, too."

Bryan said his team offers many different ways people can connect and they are excited to help meet their needs as best they can. He listed some of the services conducted at the three post chapels and highlighted some of the key ministries of the post's chapel-affiliated organizations.

Public Affairs Office

George Marcec, acting Fort Leavenworth Garrison Public Affairs officer, said the information being briefed during the CIF shouldn't be a surprise, as the information is being shared with the community in several ways, including through the Fort Leavenworth Garrison website, the Garrison Facebook page, the My Army Post App, the marquee on Grant Avenue and the Fort Leavenworth Lamp.

"We're very fortunate to have an actual weekly newspaper still produced here locally by Garrison staff. Most of the Army went to other, different things - we're very fortunate to still have a Lamp," he said. "We have a great staff of contributors, and it's top-notch."

Marcec said policy letters can be searched on the website anytime anyone has a question about why things are done a certain way. He explained how to download MAPA so that individuals can start receiving information and updates on their phones via the app, and he explained several ways community members can connect with the Public Affairs Office to share feedback or to obtain more information - by e-mailing the webmaster or Lamp editor, commenting in MAPA, messaging on social media and submitting messages through the Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) system.

"We hate to see people with issues that they could have solved by just asking us, so please reach out to us," he said.

Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation

FMWR Director Paul Martocci said his organization has many events and classes going on all the time, and that in addition to all of the mentioned methods for sharing information, he stressed the value of word of mouth, especially since Facebook has been eliminated as a communication tool for most organizations due to a recent Armywide directive.

"One of the main things that we're noticing as we are transitioning here is the word of mouth. Many of you, as I look around the room, are sharing our information as well, which we're tremendously grateful for," Martocci said. "We're going to continue to get feedback from our customers, our patrons, too, on the best way to communicate with all of you."

Martocci said that through the Village Mayors Program, all housing areas on post have village mayors with whom residents can share concerns.

"You raise those up through your village mayors, and they're working around the clock all month long to try to solve those problems," he said. "We'll talk about it, socialize it, and we'll triage it and get it into the right hands, the right individuals, and we'll get back to you with that information."

Martocci gave a couple examples of incremental changes FMWR is making to be more efficient so that resources can be focused on areas most important to soldiers and families. He then highlighted the FMWR events most asked about, including Real ID post access requirements for the Postwide Yard Sale, and described the upcoming Run/Walk for the Fallen, Child and Youth Services Halloween Fun Run and holiday tree lighting.

Munson Army Health Center

During her brief, Col. Tiffany Bilderback, Munson Army Health Center director, stressed that MAHC does not have an emergency room, and she highlighted some changes at the health center and summarized MAHC's services.

She said the Army Wellness Center is now located on the second floor of MAHC, noting that the service is also open to family members. She reminded the audience of the recent transition to myAuth, which replaces the DS Logon system, and gave information about using the online portal for patient information and sending secure messages to providers.

Bilderback said MAHC hopes to have flu vaccines in stock before Retiree Appreciation Day on Sept. 26, and that other flu shot events will be offered throughout the season at Frontier Chapel. Information about events, closures and more is shared on the MAHC Facebook page, as well as at munson.tricare.mil.

Questions and concerns

The Garrison Command Team fielded questions from the audience, promising to follow up with complete answers if they could not be offered immediately and sufficiently.

The team said several of the topics of concern were already being reviewed or amendments being made to current policy, such as driving on post, to include the use of e-bikes and scooters.

"The rules of the road are now very clear," Sunday said referencing a recent stop-gap policy to address the problem. (See page A3 of the Aug. 13, 2026, issue of the Fort Leavenworth Lamp.) "If you're an adult and you're riding a bicycle, you ride in the road and you follow the rules of the road like stop signs and things like that, (but on) Grant (Avenue), you still ride on the sidewalk."

Bicyclists should also ride on the path by Trails West Golf Course instead of on Cody Avenue. Cyclists are to yield to pedestrians - whether they are walking a dog, walking or running - slowing down to allow them to pass safely.

Sunday said children under age 16, and adults riding with them, can ride on the sidewalks as they learn to ride responsibly. Sunday added that helmets are required, only one person is allowed per bike/scooter, and riders should dismount and walk at crosswalks. He also noted that traffic enforcement is being done, targeting speeding and those rolling through stop signs. He said additional road signs, as they can be acquired, will be added where they are most needed.

Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. David Franks urged parents to make sure their children are being watched and wearing the proper gear when riding bikes, scooters and the like, and that they are also going an appropriate speed.

"It's great to see them have fun, but it's a little bit dangerous, the speed that they're going on these scooters," he said. "We need to come collectively together as a village and then just kind of coach our kids a little bit. It's great to see them having fun, but the last thing we want to see is an accident on the blotter coming from (the director of Emergency Services.)"

Franks also noted that running shirtless on post is not allowed, and that he and Sunday are making on-the-spot corrections to issues every day.

Proper protocols for daily bugle calls - reveille at 6:30 a.m., retreat at 5 p.m. (3 p.m. Fridays) and taps at 9 p.m. - was among the pre-submitted frequently asked questions.

"Unless you're on Grant Avenue, you are expected to get out of your vehicle, whether a soldier or civilian," Franks said. "If you're in uniform, you are to salute, face the music or face the flag and render the proper honors. If you're in formation, you get called to attention, and then parade arrest - you just pretty much follow the lead of who's leading that formation. If you are by yourself, you do not need to get at parade arrest, you just go straight to attention. And then once the second portion of reveille and retreat comes on, then you salute the flag. … Taps, you don't need to do anything, you just kind of honor it, maybe in place or whatever, but you don't need to stand at a certain position during taps."

Issues being addressed

In-person and follow-on responses were offered by the command team, or are still being assessed for more complete answers, to the following topics broached by audience members.

Issue: Lack of dog waste stations

Answer: There is not enough manpower to add additional bins beyond what is already available at the parks.

Issue: Desire for a family room in one of the fitness centers

Answer: FMWR is not staffed to provide child care at gyms, but an option might be parent caring for a group of children during use of the fitness facilities. Gym rules about bringing children might need to be adjusted.

Issue: Parking spots for expecting and new mothers

Answer: This can be supported, but not enforced, if locations such as the Commissary, Post Exchange, Resiliency Center, library, etc., concur.

Issue: Road damage due to longterm construction use on Iowa Avenue

Answer: DPW will determine what can be done this fall to repair major cracks, with repaving done after the CDC construction is complete.

Issue: Speeding by users of e-bikes and scooters

Answer: Command policy has been issued regarding bicycle and other human- and low-powered vehicles. To read the policy, visit https://home.army.mil/leavenworth/5717/8612/5551/20_Command_Policy_Letter__Governance_of_Bicycle_Operations.pdf. Sidewalk speed limits might also need to be added.

Sunday said he or Franks could be contacted if someone see a neighbor who isn't supervising or is allowing children to violate policies and causing dangerous situations. He said neighbors could also offer on-the-spot corrections to offenders.

Issue: Overgrown nature trails in neighborhoods and other landscaping issues around post

Answer: Michaels Military Housing is being notified and DPW is checking government portions to assess who is responsible and address maintenance.

Issue: Protocols for dealing with stray dogs and cats

Answer: During duty hours, call 913-684-5555 to report stray or abandoned dogs and cats, and a DPW employee will pick up the animal within two hours to take to the Fort Leavenworth Stray Facility. After duty hours, call the non-emergency dispatch number at 913-684-2111 for the animal to be picked up within four hours.

Issue: Poorly maintained office landscaping

Answer: There are no funds or staff for office flower bed areas. The focus by volunteers who beautify office spaces and organizations who maintain areas of responsibility has been on the most public side of buildings.

Issue: Runners not illuminated or wearing reflective gear during hours of limited visibility

Answer: Soldiers are not required to wear reflective belts. Policy is being reviewed for what can be done to increase safety, and new standards are expected to be released in October.

Issue: Adding speed limit signs by flashing speed signs so motorists know how fast they should be going

Answer: DPW is checking to see what signs are available to be added.

Issue: DEERS card obtained through the mail did not work at Commissary

Answer: Cards must be activated once received, which can be done via a link or at the Visitor Control Center. Renewing IDs online, when possible, helps alleviate strain on the system, which is being run by a short staff due to the current hiring restrictions.

As the forum concluded, Dale Cleland, acting deputy to the Garrison commander, stressed that positive comments can be submitted via ICE, not just complaints or issues.

"You are allowed to compliment people that you catch doing good," Cleland said. "We have gone through a period now of 24 months of very unstable conditions as far as morale goes. I encourage you to recognize people that are doing the right thing."

Sunday said the forum will continue to be conducted in addition to the mayors' meetings and village visits as a way to connect with the community and address issues. The next Community Information Forum will be at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 2026, at the Frontier Conference Center.

To watch the Community Information Forum, visit https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Ug9QMv23h1k.