GreenWay Alliance

Advocates for parks and pathways

A Brief History of the GreenWay Alliance

The GreenWay Alliance is a local private nonprofit organization, dedicated to parks support and advocacy.  It was created by the merger of two predecessor volunteer groups with similar missions.  In November of 2001, the Wichita Park Alliance and the Greenways Commission of Wichita/Sedgwick County combined to become the GreenWay Alliance.

The Park Alliance originated in 1981 as the Wichita Park, Recreation, and Open Space Foundation, with members appointed by the Wichita Park Board.  In 1994, the Foundation evolved into the Park Alliance, a private nonprofit board whose mission was to raise funds to enhance existing parks and to support new Park Department projects.  The first major Park Alliance venture was Botanica (which, once well established, was turned over to its own dedicated support organization).  Other notable successes include the Wichita Wild! program, and the Kansas Wildlife exhibit in Riverside Park, as well as support for many special events held in the parks.  The Park Alliance also held and distributed funds for various neighborhood park projects and Park Department special programs.

The Greenways Commission was established as an official advisory board in 1990 by the Wichita City Council.  It was intended to be an information clearinghouse and a venue for cooperation among organizations with an interest in Wichita's parks.  The Commission included representatives from federal, state, county and city government, business, and a variety of environmental and recreational organizations.  It introduced the concept of greenways to the community, and encouraged the development of a network of walking and biking paths.  The Commission also managed the Adopt-A-Greenway Program for many years, helping dozens of community groups volunteer to clean up our paths and parks.

The merger of these two organizations builds on the strengths of both.  Together we are the GreenWay Alliance.  We help protect and develop existing parks, support the acquisition of new park land, and strive for a better system of parks, greenways, and open space in our community.

Our mission is to advocate for an outdoor ethic that creates and sustains a living network of parks and greenways.  We seek to support a park and greenway system that is a valued community treasure, nationally recognized for excellence.