Douglas County hosting Wakarusa Vision Plan open house Nov. 20

Douglas County will host an open house Thursday, Nov. 20, for residents to review and provide input on the developing Wakarusa Vision Plan. The come-and-go event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Douglas County Public Works, 3755 E. 25th St. Refreshments will be provided.

The Wakarusa Vision Plan aims to create a guiding framework that balances conservation values within the Wakarusa River corridor with the needs of a growing community. Douglas County is leading this effort with Biohabitats, Alta Design and Hoxie Collective. A local guiding team includes representatives from the cities of Lawrence and Eudora, and Haskell Indian Nations University.

The open house is part of a three-phase planning process:

• Phase 1: Learning — Between March and August, Biohabitats conducted a comprehensive and layered analysis of a variety of data unique to the project area, from ecology and cultural heritage to infrastructure and land uses. The team also reviewed local and state plans and gathered insights from residents and experts, including students and faculty at Haskell Indian Nations University, environmental justice advocates, tourism and economic leaders, and conservation organizations. Property owners within the project area received invitations to complete an online survey.
• Phase 2: Visioning — Using insights from Phase 1, the planning team will present future planning scenarios for further analysis during a three-day stakeholder workshop this month, along with the public open house to gather community feedback.
• Phase 3: Strategizing — A draft of the Wakarusa Vision Plan will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners in spring 2026.

“The Wakarusa Vision Plan is a foundational implementation step toward the Douglas County Open Space Plan priority to proactively plan for conservation within the Wakarusa River Corridor,” Douglas County Sustainability Manager Kim Criner Ritchie said. “We’re inviting residents to help shape a vision that honors the land’s diverse heritage while integrating strategies that balance the challenges and opportunities of a growing community and a changing climate. Their input is essential to creating a resilient and inclusive framework for generations to come.”

For more information, visit: dgcoks.gov/openspacewakarusa.