Kansas News Alert

NEWS ALERTS
VOLUME #14: APRIL 09

Creative hospitality construction projects are springing up all over the state of Kansas.  Below are two unique examples of projects benefiting local communities and tourists while demonstrating a Midwest reputat! ion for getting things down by working together!  

New Inmate-Built Cabins Available for Rent at Kansas State Parks:  Cabin rentals have proven very popular for tourists when visiting Kansas State Parks.  On April 15, 2009 the Norton Correctional Facility (NCF), the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), and the Kansas Wildscape Foundation (KWF) celebrated the completion of the first of four inmate-built cabins that will be available for rent at area state parks.  Inmates from NCF, Hutchinson Correctional Facility and Ellsworth Correctional Facility are constructing the rental cabins that feature fully furnished kitchens and living areas.   The first two cabins constructed by inmates at NCF will be moved to Scott State Park in west central Kansas. The cabins feature a stucco exterior to match Scott Lake’s Native American theme.

The cabins (accomm! odating 4-10 adults), will benefit park users and the participating inmates who are gaining valuable construction experience. 

Public Restroom Becomes a Tourist Attraction!:  The town of Lucas, KS needs a public restroom.  Lucas is the “Grassroots Art Capitol of Kansas,” so it follows that a public restroom project should be visionary, quirky and environmentally sound.  The Bowl Plaza restroom project will include a public restroom in the shape of a toilet bowl, all out of green material, with double bottle windows made from recycled bottles and featuring mosaic bottle work.  Recycled donations are requested to include colored and clear wine and liquor bottles, old perfume bottles, broken mirrors, china, pottery, marbles and old coins.  For more information, visit www.grassrootsart.net.