The first three of 12 total solar benches have been installed at three parks and neighborhood resource centers throughout Wichita. This is an initiative by the Wichita Public Library to expand wireless access to residents.
The solar benches are located at:
Evergreen Park, 2700 N. Woodland
Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center, 2755 E. 19th St.
Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center, 2820 S. Roosevelt St.
The solar benches are equipped with free public Wi-Fi and charging ports powered by solar panels on top. Residents who need to connect to a device can use these benches at their leisure.
Last month, the Wichita Public Library, in partnership with the Wichita Public Library Foundation, received a $289,000 grant from the State of Kansas ADOPT Program to install nine more solar benches in low-income areas, leveraging the Library’s extensive digital reach. This effort is crucial in a city where thousands of households lack home internet.
where can churches interested in solar benches find information?
Howard, you might try the Kansas Office of Broadband. They have a lot of funding to expand internet reach across the state.