For more than a year, to avoid complying with a Kansas law (Selling a park under Kansas law – K.S.A. 12-1301) that would have led to a city-wide vote like the one coming up on April 1st, the leaders of Westwood falsely claimed that Joe D. Dennis Park was not, in fact, a park. In the fall of 2023, Westwood City Council doubled down, threatening legal action against anyone, anywhere – not just residents of Westwood – who publicly stated they believed this park was actually a park. Never mind that the park was dedicated as a park in 1973 and again in 2002.

You don't need to be a constitutional scholar to know this threat was a clear violation of the First Amendment.
‍
The threat is a violation to Westwood elected officials' oaths of office. The bullying tactics are examples of local politics at its worst (Kansas Justice Institute speaks out on Westwood threat of citizens).

Joe D. Dennis Park is a vital part of what makes Westwood the charming city of Westwood. This tree-rich jewel maintains the character of our city, elevates our property values, helps keep our crime rate low and our school most desirable.
‍
Friends of Westwood Parkland (FWWP) does not believe the Mayor and City Council of Westwood to be forthright in giving you all the facts; they continue to blur the picture about this encroaching commercial development.
‍
We hope you check out these four crucial concerns of FWWP as this vote approaches on April 1st. We thank you for considering what we have to share. When you receive your Vote-by-Mail ballot in mid-March, we ask that you VOTE NO.