Sand Hills State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sand Hills State Park |
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Location | Reno, Kansas, United States |
Area | 1,123 acres (4.54 km2) |
Elevation | 1,550 ft (470 m) |
Established | 1974 |
Governing body | Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism |
Sand Hills State Park is a cool place found north of Hutchinson in Reno County, Kansas, United States. It's a special park where you can explore unique sand dunes and enjoy nature.
Contents
How Sand Hills State Park Started
When Was the Park Created?
Sand Hills State Park became a state park in 1974. The Kansas Park and Resources Authority helped make this happen. They bought a large piece of land, about 640 acres, from a nearby facility.
Who Helped Make the Park Bigger?
Soon after, a family from Hutchinson, the Dillons, gave another 320 acres of land to the park. This kind gift helped the park grow. With some special government funds, the park was able to get even more land. This brought the total size of Sand Hills State Park to 1,123 acres.
Exploring the Geography of Sand Hills State Park
Where Is Sand Hills State Park Located?
The park is located in northeastern Reno County, Kansas. You can find it about 6 miles north of Hutchinson, just east of Kansas State Highway 61. It's easy to get to for a fun day out!
What Are the Sand Dunes Like?
Sand Hills State Park is famous for its rolling sand dunes. These dunes are like small hills made of sand. They can be anywhere from 10 to 40 feet tall! Most of these dunes are covered with prairie grass. This grass helps to keep the sand from blowing away.
How Were the Sand Dunes Formed?
These unique sand dunes were created by wind. Strong winds blew sand from the Arkansas River a long, long time ago. This happened at the end of the last ice age. Over time, the wind piled the sand into the dunes you see today.