Grant Park Pickleball Court Renovation: Grant Park in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, officially reopened on June 25, 2025, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The first phase of renovations added pickleball courts, a tennis court, a soccer field, and a walking path. The project, costing over $2 million, aims to bring more activity and connection to the community.
Ceremony Marks a Fresh Start
The ribbon was cut by Fort Leavenworth Garrison Commander Colonel Duane Mosier, Garrison Command Sergeant Major Vanessa Sun, ACI Build Group Project Manager Tristan Aycock, U.S. Army Directorate of Public Works Project Manager David Lutgen, and Chief Recreation Officer Jeff Honey.
“This is an amazing day,”. “It is a culmination of a vision of our engineers, our DPW employees, and everybody standing up here.”(Colonel Duane Mosier)
David Lutgen shared that planning began with a short-term study completed in 2022.
New Features and Upgrades
The park now includes four pickleball courts with a central pickleball pavilion. It also has a tennis court, soccer field, and a concrete path that will become a half-mile jogging trail.
The pavilion is fully equipped with four picnic tables, a bike rack, electrical outlets, lights, a water fountain with a bottle filler, and a pet dish. Lights on the tennis court and pavilion will operate from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the park closing at 10 p.m. daily.
Visitors are asked to enter from Kearney Avenue or use the stairs off McClellan Avenue alleyway. Renovations will briefly pause again for about three days to allow minor fixes based on visitor feedback.
Creating a Year-Round Gathering Space
Jeff Honey said the park’s new design allows people to enjoy it year-round.
“The Garrison Team gathered and wanted to make an impact on this area; not only for the community around it, but for the entire Fort Leavenworth community to enjoy,”. “It’s been somewhat of an eyesore for some time now.
We wanted it to be multifunctional for not just warm months but also thinking about how the area could be used in winter with sledding (and more.) We look forward to every phase that we complete until we have the finished product that everyone would be proud of.”(Jeff Honey)
He also spoke about the park’s role in strengthening relationships.
“Most of the Fort Leavenworth community is close, but we hope that the area will bring them closer, something that it will make them proud to call home,” (Jeff Honey).
Vanessa Sun added,
“I think because it is a community park it will bring the community closer and tighter together, where we can come out and play on the courts. I think it’s going to be a great community meeting ground.”
First Pickleball Game Kicks Off New Era
After the ceremony, the Mosier and Sun families played the first pickleball match on the new courts. The Sun family won with a score of 11-9. More residents soon followed, playing friendly matches and exploring the new park space.
More Improvements on the Way
Future plans for the park include building a sand volleyball court, improving Grant Pool, and adding a full loop sidewalk.
Joel Marquardt, architect in the Directorate of Public Works Design Branch, said the DPW worked closely with Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) leaders to plan the park. FMWR will manage park operations and maintenance, with more oversight roles expected as work continues.
News in Brief: Grant Park Pickleball Court Renovation
Fort Leavenworth’s Grant Park reopened on June 25, 2025, with new pickleball courts, a tennis court, walking paths, and more. Leaders hope the $2 million renovation will bring the community closer. More upgrades, including a volleyball court and full sidewalk loop, are planned in the next phase.
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