Shawnee County commissioners have approved the addition of cabins at Lake Shawnee campgrounds (Kansas), moving forward with a project years in discussion.
Commissioners Aaron Mays, Kevin Cook and Bill Riphahn voted unanimously for the development during their Aug. 25 meeting.
Mays said the project reflects long-term planning by the county and the parks department. “This is fantastic. I know we had talked about this a long time ago and weren’t 100% sure what we were going to put there,” Mays said, as reported by The Topeka Capital-Journal on August 26.
“We knew we wanted cabins but we didn’t have the money for it so this is great. Good to see it happening,” Mays added.
Jessica Rakestraw, deputy director for Shawnee County Parks and Recreation, noted the campground site had been prepared in anticipation of cabins. She said the location is already leveled for the new structures.
The plan calls for two cabins, each measuring 800 square feet.
According to Rakestraw, the units will include two bedrooms, one bathroom, a small kitchen, and a deck facing the water. The cabins will be situated in the northwest corner of the campground, offering a lakefront view for future guests.
Although no construction date has been set, officials expect both cabins to be finished before the end of 2026.
“We would like to get going as soon as we can, but there’s a couple steps that need to happen before we’re able to put it out for bid,” Rakestraw said. “Hopefully as soon as possible. Hopefully by spring, we can get them going, that would be our goal.”
The project is being funded through a grant awarded by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Shawnee County Parks and Recreation secured $148,989.50 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund program, a federally supported initiative administered by the state.
County commissioners approved the application for the grant on Sept. 12, 2024. The funding is structured as a 50-50 match, requiring the county to contribute an equal share. In total, the cabins represent an investment of $297,979.
The county’s share will be provided through the Campground Revolving Fund, which collects user fees from the public.
Lake Shawnee, a recreation site in Topeka, draws visitors for camping, fishing, boating, and community events. The addition of cabins is expected to broaden lodging options, appealing to campers who prefer more amenities than traditional campsites.