It’s spring here in Garden City! The snow is melting to reveal green grass, and the birds are chirping in the blooming trees. It is the perfect time to get outside. You will find that Garden City is well designed for enjoying the great outdoors even in the center of town. Whether you want to cheer on a sports game while basking in the sun, or take the kids on a city bike ride. There is something for everyone.
Have a picnic in Finnup Park: The largest park in Garden City offers 110 acres of sprawling lawns, spring blossoms, and picnic shelters. There are seven shelters nestled into Finnup park. They are complete with electricity, barbecue grills, and trash cans. These locations make grilling outside convenient and fun! You can barbecue among the pine trees, while your children play on the playground. Shelters have a capacity ranging from 20 to 100 people. This is the perfect place to host a birthday party after a day at the Lee Richardson Zoo or a weekday dinner in the park.
Shelters can be reserved during the week without charge. Weekend reservations will be assessed for fees. If the shelter is not posted with a reservation, then it is first-come-first-serve. The address is 301 S 4th Street, Garden City, Kansas 67846.
A map of the available park shelters can be found here or you can call the Parks Department at (620) 271-1574.
Bike or Walk Talley Trail: With temperatures on the rise in the spring months, there are more opportunities to get outside and move! The Talley Trail is 3.5 miles of smooth pavement winding east-west through Garden City. There are seven gazebos conveniently located along the trail providing ample shade from the springtime sun. Discover the funshower water tower, perfect for cooling off riders, walkers, and pets! Ride from the Brocbusters stadium and along the edge of the downtown district before paralleling the quaint residential street of East Johnson. Not only is this path an opportunity to get closer to nature, but it connects the city with a usable pedestrian greenway. This is a great trail for a brisk jog or a leisurely stroll.
Parking is available at Garden City Community College. The parking lot is located at 801 Campus Dr, Garden City, KS 67846, United States. You can head to the north side of the football stadium to start at the very beginning of the trail.
Support Local Sports: It is the perfect season to get together and cheer on the Broncbusters! The Garden City Community College (GCCC) is home to various Broncbuster sports programs. The Broncbusters, and Lady Broncbusters, compete in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. Enjoy shaking off the winter chills at one of the many spectator friendly facilities around the city. The Tangeman Sports Complex hosts the Lady Broncbuster softball league. Tangeman Fields was named in honor of a former GCCC president, Dr. James Tangeman. Women’s softball season kicks off in February and extends through the beginning of May. Don’t forget to wear your black and yellow! The Tangeman Sports Complex is located on the corner of Spruce St and Highway 83/50 By-Pass, Garden City KS 67846.
For football fans, head to the Broncbuster Stadium. Rally for the Broncbuster football team from March all the way through the end of May. The stadium was renovated in 2013 to include new bleachers for both home and away guests, new turf, and a redesigned light system. Stay for halftime and appreciate a performance by the GCCC orchestra and the cheer squad. The facility also hosts soccer games and track meets during the spring season. The Broncbuster Football Stadium address is 2009 E Spruce St, Garden City, KS 67846, United States.
Early spring means you can catch the championships for basketball and volleyball. The men’s and women’s basketball seasons’ round out in early April. Enjoy cheering them on from the indoor comfort of the Conestoga Arena. This beautiful arena has a drop down volleyball net to accommodate the Lady Broncbuster volleyball team. The facility is located inside of the Dennis Perryman Athletic Complex on the GCCC campus.
If you are ready to be a part of BusterNation, buy your ticket online here at the hometown ticketing website.
Tour the Buffalo Preserve: Take a beautiful spring afternoon to head to the Sandsage Bison Range; there you can watch over 100 buffalo graze on fresh grass. This wildlife area sits on 3,670 acres of land, and supports the oldest publicly owned buffalo herd in Kansas. For your own safety, the public is not able to access the pasture where the buffalo roam without an escort. Personal tours of the bison herd are available from March 2 to October 31, courtesy of Friends of the Sandsage Bison Range foundation. This awe-inspiring experience is only made possible through the preservation efforts of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The wildlife preserve attracts a host of other species including coyotes, mule deer, and prairie dogs. Buffalo often give birth in the months of March, April, and May. That means you have the chance to spot a baby buffalo! Can you imagine watching a baby buffalo and it’s mother grazing in a pasture surrounded by spring blossoms? The reserve is less than a ten minute drive from the heart of town. The official address of the Sandsage Bison Range is 785 S. Hwy 83 Garden City, KS 67846.
You have a chance to get up close and personal with the herd at one of the many events hosted by Friends of the Sandsage Bison Range. Read more about their events by going to this website. You can also make guided tour reservations by phone at (620) 276-9400.
The bustling streets of Garden City come alive as the sun warms up the town. Be a part of the community by getting outside this season. Whether you are coming out of hibernation to support local sports, or to have your first barbecue in the park. Garden City welcomes you. Don’t forget to stop and smell the spring blossoms on your way!
