Tell the mayor and council to rebuild bluejacket pool

Mayor and Council

logan.heley@opkansas.org,
holly.grummert@opkansas.org,
melissa.cheatham@opkansas.org,
drew.mitrisin@opkansas.org,
amy.scrivner@opkansas.org,
richard.borlaza@opkansas.org,
amy.antrim@opkansas.org,
gregg.riess@opkansas.org,
andrew.payne@opkansas.org,
inas.younis@opkansas.org,
josh.beck@opkansas.org,
chris.newlin@opkansas.org

Talking Points

When talking to city representatives about the pool, here are some points to include. Please focus on Bluejacket Pool and the desire to have a community-based pool that is inclusive and accessible, and avoid discussing other city projects.

1. Residents overwhelmingly prefer neighborhood pools

- 62% prefer neighborhood pools over regional mega-centers.

- Only 31% prefer regional pools, showing a strong preference for local access.

- Residents want pools within walking distance, not requiring long drives.

2. Pools rank as one of the highest priorities in the entire parks system

- Pools are ranked #3 overall across all park amenities.

- Residents allocated more funding to pools than to any other category.

- Pools were repeatedly selected as a top-3 amenity in new or renovated parks.

3. Residents support building additional neighborhood pools

- Building new neighborhood pools is the #2 major enhancement priority after trails.

- Support is highest for adding new pools north of I-435 to address gaps in access.

- Residents stressed geographic equity in pool distribution across the city.

4. Residents want existing pools renovated rather than closed

- Strong support was shown for renovating Stonegate and the two regional pools.

- Renovation ranked as a top action residents would fund with tax dollars.

- Closing neighborhood pools contradicts resident preferences for improving local facilities.

- Improving existing pools supports long-term sustainability and community heritage.

5. Splash pads are not considered replacements for pools

- Only 11% of residents prioritize splash pads.

- 45% explicitly said 'let’s focus on pools' rather than splash pads.

- Splash pads were ranked far below pools in all priority categories.

- Replacing pools with splash pads removes amenities used by older children, families, and lap swimmers.

The Ask

This group is asking that Playbook OP recommend investing and rebuilding pools, like Bluejacket, and that the council support the voice of the community.

Sample email

Dear Council Member,

I’ve been a resident of Overland Park for ___ years, and I’m writing to express strong support for rebuilding Bluejacket Pool. Despite past long-range plans calling for its closure, neighborhood pools like Bluejacket continue to provide irreplaceable value to families, seniors, teens, and the surrounding community.

The Playbook OP survey overwhelmingly confirms that residents want neighborhood pools prioritized:

62% prefer neighborhood pools, while only 31% prefer regional pools.
Pools ranked #3 overall across all park amenities and received more support for funding than any other category.
Building new neighborhood pools was the #2 major enhancement priority; residents specifically supported adding pools in areas of the city that currently lack them, including north of I-435.
Residents prefer renovating existing pools rather than closing them.
Splash pads are not substitutes for pools—only 11% prioritized them, and 45% said we should focus on pools.

Bluejacket is a true community anchor and a defining asset for the large surrounding neighborhood. Rebuilding it would strengthen local identity, support families, and protect home values.

Thank you for beginning the planning process for Bluejacket Park this fall. I sincerely hope the City chooses to rebuild Bluejacket Pool and ensures the final Playbook OP plan reflects what residents clearly expressed: Overland Park wants neighborhood pools restored and expanded.

Thank you for your time and service.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]