Wichita Approved Botanica Sim Park Lease
The city council granted a 30-year lease for 13 acres to facilitate the construction of a new water reservoir.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Botany
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The Wichita City Council has approved a 30-year lease allowing Botanica to utilize 13 acres of Sim Park for a new water management project. This initiative aims to establish a reservoir to capture runoff for garden irrigation.
Why it matters
Botanica consumes over 15 million gallons of water annually and seeks to reduce its reliance on municipal sources. The project provides a sustainable water management strategy while the city navigates drought restrictions.
The proposed reservoir will hold 3 million gallons of captured rainwater, stormwater, and runoff. This infrastructure addresses the garden's annual consumption of over 15 million gallons of water.
The players
Wichita City Council
The governing body responsible for legislative decisions and city land management in Wichita.
Botanica
A botanical garden organization that serves as a public center for plant life and education.
The details
The project site at Sim Park was selected because it sits at a lower elevation than the surrounding parkland, allowing for optimal water collection. Botanica plans to fund the construction of the reservoir and a new education center by applying for competitive grants.
Timeline
September 15, 2026: The Wichita City Council approved the 30-year lease agreement.
Deeper Dive
The reservoir project follows a pattern set by Stage 2 drought restrictions in Wichita. It marks a proactive departure from standard municipal water reliance in response to the operational challenges posed by these conservation requirements.
The reservoir is designed to capture stormwater and runoff that might otherwise cause localized drainage issues in the area. This infrastructure improvement aims to lower the garden's demand on city water supplies during dry seasons.
The takeaway
This lease agreement allows for more sustainable water management in a public space while reducing pressure on the city's municipal supply. By capturing runoff, Botanica aims to create a self-sustaining irrigation model for its future operations.
Further reading
Learn more about local environmental efforts at the Wichita Botany page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kwch.
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