Kansas Wildscape Foundation raises funds for inmate-built cabins

On June 12, the Kansas Wildscape Foundation and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will host a cabin dedication ceremony for two new Wildscape-funded rental cabins at Milford State Park, near Junction City. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m., following Wildscape's golf portion of the 2009 Governor's Golf & Fishing Classic. KDWP Secretary Mike Hayden, Milford State Park manager Tony Reitz, and other area community and business leaders will be present.

Milford cabin sponsors are Jim Braden, Clay Center, and Gary Junghans, Junction City. With the addition of these cabins, Wildscape has provided funding for 32 rental cabins on Kansas state parks and public lands, with plans for an additional 128 cabins to be in place over the next five years. Wildscape is privately funding more than $6 million for the cabins project.

Wildscape-funded cabins are built by inmates at Kansas correctional facilities in Hutchinson, Ellsworth, and Norton, and the inmates are trained in various work-related skills to help them successfully transition into public life. The program has been well received across the state, and the inmates are proud to work on these cabins and participate in providing more outdoor opportunities to all Kansans.

For more information, phone Wildscape's executive director, Charlie Black, at 316-841-8877 or email charlieblack@sunflower.com.

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