My wife and I use the walking path around the airport many times a week throughout the year. We have used this path for many years and enjoy watching the Scissortailed flycatchers and Nighthawks. The frequent airplane or helicopter add to the variety of aerial menagerie.
The Japanese Garden that is located next to the parking lot at the southeast corner of the airport is a pleasant place to stop and rest before continuing our walk. The stone gardens and bridge are really tranquil. The flowers around the Summer House add a welcome spot of color.
The Rotary Club added an exercise area dedicated to the former Shawnee City Manager Terry Powell. Someone did spray the rampant Bermuda grass that was beginning to compete with the equipment, but additional maintenance and sprucing up is needed.
Located near the garden is the memorial for the Shawnee citizens who lost their lives when the Murrah Building was bombed. The shrubs have all died and their barebones are what remain. The grasses are overgrown and stand two to three feet high. The memorial says that the victims would never be forgotten. These are hollow words because the memorial has been forgotten for years by the club that placed it there.
I have a suggestion. Why not move this memorial to Woodland Park and place it close to the Veterans Memorial. It might be maintained and not forgotten at that location.
Deane Carlberg,
Shawnee
