Linger Longer
in Wakarusa

Come for a visit, stay for the feeling! Wakarusa’s Linger Longer initiative is rooted in the belief that the best communities make you want to stay—where meaningful connections, shared experiences, and small-town charm invite you to slow down and linger longer. Stop in, enjoy our little community knee deep in charm. You may decide you want to linger longer! We hope you do that. Enjoy Wakarusa

What’s the overall goal?

Strengthen parks + downtown as one connected experience.

Better Places → More Connection → Stronger Business → More Community Pride → More Investment

This initiative focuses on improvements that:
  • Connect parks to downtown so movement feels natural and safe
  • Create reasons to stay longer by way of gathering spaces, play, events, and amenities
  • Support local business vitality through foot traffic and repeat visits
  • Strengthen the quality of place for young families, established households, and seniors
  • Build event readiness for Wakarusa to host more often, with less friction
Make a Donation To the Project
Long-term Outcomes We’re Building Toward

This is more than a set of projects; it’s a long-term plan for:

  • A vibrant downtown “all week long”- not only on special days
  • Responsible spending and better conditions for small business growth
  • A healthier community through everyday recreation and social connection
  • Stronger community identity with Town that feels like home and demonstrates it cares
  • Better talent and family retention for a place young parents choose and kids remember
  • A stronger case for future grants and investments, because momentum attracts money

First Four Projects

Hakim Properties Building Mural | 2025

A signature, two-story mural on the Hakim Properties building–creates a “front door moment” downtown.
Why it matters long-term:
 Strengthens Wakarusa identity and pride
 Adds a photo-worthy landmark that supports downtown visibility
 Helps downtown feel active, cared-for, and welcoming

Quilt Garden Patio | 2026

A new gathering space designed as a bridge between downtown and the park—a place to sit, meet, eat, watch, and linger.

Why it matters long-term:
 Builds connector space that increases downtown foot traffic
 Supports farmers markets, cruise-ins, tailgates, and community celebrations
 Adds comfort and capacity for event space

Project budget estimate $320,000
 Town investment $165,000
 Requested grant $75,000
 Community investment needed $80,000

Pickleball & Basketball Courts | 2026

New courts and major access upgrades create a recreation hub that serves multiple age groups and resolves long-standing functional issues in the sports complex including drainage improvements to address water issues affecting baseball diamonds, widening drive and
adding parking for safer, easier access, and improving usability year-round including winter sledding.

Why it matters long-term:
 Adds everyday activity that keeps parks busy and safe
 Expands recreation for teens, young adults, parents, and seniors
 Creates tournament/event potential and repeat visitation
 Fixes infrastructure and improves access

Project budget estimate $792,000
 Courts $300,000
 Paving $200,000
 Drainage $150,000
 Town investment $380,000
 Requested grants $50,000
 Olive Township commitment $62,000
 Community investment needed $300,000

Downtown Park Renovation | 2027-2028

A future project focused on renovating the downtown park.
Why it matters long-term:
 Builds the next layer of downtown vitality
 Strengthens the Town’s family-friendly, event-ready identity
 Supports ongoing reinvestment downtown

Hakim Properties Building Mural

Quilt Garden Patio

Pickleball & Basketball Courts

Downtown Park Renovation

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship is not just a donation—it’s an investment in Wakarusa’s long-term strength.

Your support helps create the kind of Town where visitors return, families stay, and community pride grows.

Quilt Garden Patio Sponsorships
  • Title Sponsor (entire project) $200,000
  • Seat Wall Naming (3 available) $50,000 each
  • Stage Sponsor $40,000
  • Lighting Sponsor $40,000
  • Landscaping Sponsors (3 available) $10,000 each
Pickleball & Basketball Courts Sponsorships
  • Title Sponsor (entire project) $750,000
  • Pickleball Court Naming (6 available) $50,000 each
  • Basketball Court Naming $100,000
  • Pavilion Sponsor $75,000

Recognition options may include on-site naming/signage, online recognition, and campaign acknowledgments based on sponsor level.

Wakarusa’s Long-Term Commitment

Wakarusa is committed not only to building these projects but also maintaining the improvements for the long haul to ensure they stay clean, safe, and welcoming.

 

Quilt Garden Patio – Town investment highlights
  • Land value, Water tap fees, storm water, mowing, utilities, cleanup, snow removal, insurance, security camera subscriptions. Estimated cost: $85,000
Pickleball & Basketball Courts – Town commitment highlights
  • Land value, maintenance, utilities, insurance, security camera subscriptions, drainage, resurfacing, nets, wind guards, landscaping, parking, drive upkeep. Estimated cost: $142,000

How To Get Involved

Help Wakarusa become a place people choose — a place they stay 

Make a Donation To the Project