City Park & Lake
Jones Park
Softball/Baseball & Soccer Fields
USD 244 Recreation Center
John Redmond Reservoir
Coffey County Lake
Wolf Creek Nature Area
Wolf Creek Generating Station
Luther's Smokehouse
Coffey County Museum
Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge
Bicycling
Dining in New Strawn
Visitor Information
City of New Strawn
City Clerk
215 North Main Street
PO Box 922
New Strawn, KS 66839
620.364.8283
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Recreation
New Strawn City Park and Lake is located in the middle of the town. The New Strawn City Lake is ranked as being excellent among small fishing lakes in Kansas. The lake was drained and renovated in 1983, during which four fishing piers were built to allow for more shoreline fishing.
The pier sides were covered with rip-rap and the tops planted with grass. The City participates in a Hybrid Bass program and restocks trout each January.
City staff, with assistance from the Kansas Fish and Game Commission, monitor the status of the lake and fish. A walking bridge was built by Brett Skillman for his Boy Scout Eagle Project in 1998 to make access across the spillway easier, especially when the area is wet. A mini shelter house was built by Allen Harkrader on the eastside of the lake in 2006 as his Eagle Scout Project.
There are restrooms available as well as a playground when the youngest fishing enthusiast wants to take a break from fishing.
Each year in June, the New Strawn Community Improvement Organization (NSCIO) hosts a 24-hour fishing derby at the New Strawn Lake to raise funds for the Community Center. Anglers are welcome to camp overnight during the 24-hour derby.
The fish in this picture was netted by Kansas Fish and Game during an official fish count. (The fish are kept in the lake to keep it clean.) The flatbill fish is not allowed to be taken from the lake.
A City License is required in addition to your state license and can be purchased at City Hall,the New Strawn Casey's General Store and at Lakeview Bait. A city license is $10 for 16 and over, $4 for under 16, January 1 to May 1. These prices are for anyone living in the USD 244 school district. After May 1st, 16 and up are $5 and under 16 is $2. Outside of district licenses, January 1 to May 1 are $15 for 16 and over and $6 for under 16. After May 1, 16 and up are $10 and under 16 are $4. A state fishing license can be purchased on-line at the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks website.
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 Jones Park is located on Getz Street across the street from the Community Center. This park offers a playground, picnic shelter, basketball court, automated pitching cage and a 2 court tennis court. Keys for the batting cage may be checked out at City Hall.
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Softball/Baseball and Soccer Fields are located on the south end of town on Lake Road just south of the fire station. The fields can be reserved through he USD 244 Recreation Center at 620.364.8484.
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Other Nearby Recreation Opportunities
- USD 244 Recreation Center includes a six-lane indoor swimming pool, racquetball courts, gym, weight room, aerobics room, cardio fitness center, and an indoor jogging/walking track. 110 Shea Street in Burlington. Call 620.364.8484 for more information or visit their website at www.burlingtonrec.com. Top of Page
- John Redmond Reservoir, located on the outskirts of New Strawn, is a favorite lake for many Kansans. Boating, camping, water-skiing, swimming, hiking, nature trails, mountain biking and equestrian trail, fishing, and hunting are available for seasonal outdoor activities.
John Redmond Reservoir spans the broad floodplain of the Neosho River near the town of New Strawn. Located in the Central Flyway, it is an important stopover for many species of migrating waterfowl. Nearby croplands of wheat, corn, and milo provide food for the migrating birds.
During migrations greater and lesser yellowlegs, long-billed dowitchers, and other shorebirds are found in the mudflats. The surrounding bluestem pastures support many grassland animals. John Redmond Wildlife Area, along Otter Creek on the southwest side of the lake, is managed to maintain ample food, cover, and breeding areas for wildlife. In winter bald eagles perch in trees near the dam, and rough-legged hawks float overhead. Thousands of snow geese are in the area during the winter.
White-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbits, raccoons, opossums, and coyotes can be seen in the Otter Creek area year-round. In summer, look in the shallow waters for great blue and green-backed herons.
For lake information, write or call the US Army Corps of Engineers at 1565 Embankment Road SW, New Strawn, KS 66839 or 620.364.8614 or visit their website. Top of Page
- Coffey County Lake offers great fishing. and has been called the "Crown Jewel" of Kansas fisheries. The lake is open for public use everyday from official sunrise to official sunset, except when specific weather conditions do not permit. The lake is also subject to closing after opening if specific weather conditions arise. For information on lake status, there are Lake Attendants on duty during open hours and a phone message during off hours. To access this information call (620) 364-2475. If you are planning to visit the lake, call for lake status before coming. For fishing information, call the Daily Lake Status hotline, (620) 364-2475. Top of Page
- Wolf Creek Environmental Education Area is located just east of the city and is a unique opportunity to learn about the nature of eastern Kansas. Open to the public 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. Visitors may tour the area on their own or schedule guided tours. The area contains numerous walking trails, bird watching blinds and picnic facilities. Brochures located at the Education Center provide information for self-guided tours. For tour information, call (620) 364-4141. Top of Page
- Wolf Creek Generation Station The only nuclear power plant in Kansas. For information about the station, environmental area, and plant visits, contact 620.364.4141. Top of Page
- Luther's Smokehouse world famous beef jerky and barbecue. Located on the west edge of LeRoy on Highway 57. Group tours. 620.964.2500 Top of Page
 The Coffey County Historical Society and Museum is located in Katy Park, the original site of the City of Burlington (1101 Neosho Street). The museum has over 11,000 square feet of exhibit space, a large genealogy library, a restored 1896 country school house and a restored country church.
The museum is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m., closed on holidays. Toll Free Phone 888.877.2653 or local number 620.364.2653. Fax 620.364.8933. Deborah Kennamore, Director. Top of Page- Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge is one of a system of over 500 refuges administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and dedicated to the preservation and conservation of wildlife. Named for the Flint Hills Region just to the west, the refuge consists of 18,500 acres located on the upstream portion of John Redmond Reservoir on land owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Established in 1966, the refuge is managed primarily for migratory waterfowl. Intensive use by ducks and geese occurs during the spring and fall migration. Farmlands are managed on a share basis with area farmers with the refuge share providing food for migrating waterfowl and resident wildlife.
Numerous ponds and a system of shallow marshes provide additional waterfowl habitat. Waterfowl and bald eagle management requires that portions of the refuge be closed and that public access be restricted during periods of intensive waterfowl use. Office (620.392.5553 Top of Page
- Bicycling the area around New Strawn offers exceptional bicycle riding opportunities. The roads travel over rolling hills with beautiful scenery. It is hard not to have a great ride in Coffey County. Follow the link for descriptions of some of the rides. Top of Page
Dining in New Strawn
Casey's Carry-out Pizza in the Casey's convenience store at 129 North Main Street in New Strawn. Casey's also has breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. Call 620.364.5513 for more information.
Buddies Bar and Grill offers monthly musical and/or comedy entertainment. Good food, indoor and outdoor seating, billiards, and big screen TV. 255 North Main Street in New Strawn, KS 66839. Call 620.490.0684 for menu or entertaiment info.
The Indian Plains Grill, the clubhouse of the former Indian Plains Golf Course (currently for sale), is open for lunch daily and for "Steak Night" on Friday nights. and a monthly Prime Rib night during the winter months. Indian Plains Grill is located at 427 North Arrowhead in New Strawn. Call 620.364.5606 for dining details.
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Visitor Information
The Coffey County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center is located in Burlington (110 North 4th Street) in the red caboose. Public restrooms are available in the depot. The Visitor Center is open year-round, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. January to May; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. May to December.
Please contact the Chamber office to request Coffey County visitor information at 620.364.2002 or 877.364.2002 or visit the Chamber's website at www.coffeycountychamber.com
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