The Great Mural of Topeka honors the neighborhood's past
Chesney Park, about 2 miles south of Downtown Topeka, gets its name from the neighborhood’s hub of outdoor recreation and community events. Houses date to the early 1900s and are some of the most affordable in the city. Though the neighborhood is predominantly residential, Washburn University is situated directly to the west, while the Stormont Vail Events Center is just to the east, putting on concerts and other big events. Right across the street stands the Great Mural Wall of Topeka, wrapped around the walls of a former water reservoir. The Chesney Park Neighborhood Improvement Association initiated the mural. Ann Marshall, the president of the Chesney Park NIA, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1986, said the artwork was envisioned as a way to help the neighborhood. "They came up with this idea, and it basically showcases the history of Chesney Park and all of Topeka.”
The Great Mural Wall of Topeka bursts with color in Chesney Park honoring the city's past.
Chesney Park preserves the city's history through century-old homes and red brick roads.
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Century-old houses and old red-brick streets and
Chesney Park’s grid-pattern streets are primarily lined with Craftsman-style bungalows with spacious front porches and three-story American Foursquares built in the early 1900s. Some are located by the old red bricks that cover Buchanan Street, which serve as a reminder of the neighborhood’s beginnings. Recently renovated properties sell for around $60,000 to $140,000. Houses in need of work usually fall in the $30,000 to $50,000 range. They’re typically situated on approximately 0.10-acre lots with driveways that are accessible from back alleyways. “There are a lot of young, new homeowners because the houses are affordable,” says Marshall. “But a lot of us have also lived here for 20 to 30 years.”
Some homes in Chesney Park are located by the old red bricks that cover Buchanan Street.
Homes in Chesney Park date back to the early 1900s and some are flanked by red brick sidewalks.
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A central namesake park for outdoor recreation and relaxation
The actual Chesney Park, where the neighborhood gets its name, is a square block in the center of the community. Alongside wooded spaces are paved walkways that lead to a playground, basketball court and skate park with three metal ramps. Family and friends can also visit the park to celebrate special occasions by gathering under the gazebo or the pavilion and cooking burgers on the charcoal grill. “The park is busy all the time,” says Marshall. “You can’t go and not see people hanging out.” Shunga Glen Park is just a few blocks south of the neighborhood. Like Chesney Park, it also has a basketball court, playground and a skate park, though this skate park is more of a concrete bowl. People can also play on the 18-hole disc golf course and go for a hike on the 13-mile Shunga Trail.
Chesney City Park has a sizeable gazebo that can host music performances.
The skate park provides skateboarders, in-line skaters & bicyclers a 5,000 square foot area.
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Topeka Public Schools and Washburn University
Students attend Randolph Elementary and Robinson Middle, each of which earns a C-plus grade from Niche. They’ll go on to Topeka High, which gets a B grade while being ranked the fourth-most diverse high school in the state. Built in 1931, Topeka High is well known for its elaborate Gothic-style architecture with a 165-foot bell tower inspired by Henry VIII’s Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. Students may continue their education at Washburn University on the west side of the neighborhood.
Kids love attending Randolph Elementary School.
Robinson Middle School is named after Charles Robinson, the first governor of Kansas.
Topeka High School welcomes all students to learn, be involved and make a difference.
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Lowkey community gatherings at the park and lively stadium events
Several events are held at the neighborhood park throughout the year, including National Night Out, potluck picnics and summer concerts. “They’re very low-key,” says Marshall. “We all know each other, so it’s a chance to just sit down and talk.” The Stormont Vail Events Center, located on the east side of the neighborhood, draws people from all over the city. “They always have something going on,” says Cathy Conn, a Realtor with Platinum Realty in Topeka. “I saw the Gaither Vocal Band there, and I attend the Kansas Lawn and Garden Show every year.” The event center frequently features nationally touring musicians, monster truck rallies, trade shows and much more throughout the year. One section of the venue includes the Domer Livestock Arena, which hosts all kinds of horse shows and other livestock events.
With Stormont Event Center right in the neighborhood, locals attend concerts & family events.
Domer Livestock Arena also lives here and offers horse competitions, rodeos and much more.
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Getting around Topeka, a city in Tornado Valley
No highways are needed to drive 2 miles north to downtown. The closest highway is Interstate 70, which runs through downtown, leading west throughout Kansas and 60 miles east to Kansas City. Topeka Metro bus stops can be found along 17th Street to the north, Washburn Avenue to the west and 21st Street to the south.
Like any place in Topeka, Chesney Park has the potential to be impacted by severe weather, as the city is located in the Midwest’s “Tornado Valley.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been tracking tornadoes since 1950 and has not recorded one in Chesney Park since. Topeka also does not have any public tornado shelters.
Locals can jump on the Topeka Metro and get downtown in just minutes.
Chesney Park is just 2 miles from downtown Topeka, but has all you need inside it's borders.
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A few restaurants in Chesney Park and major retailers 4 miles away
Chesney Park has a few restaurants along 21st Street on the neighborhood’s south side. World Cup Coffee and Crepes offers indoor and outdoor dining, where locals can enjoy a latte and choose from a variety of breakfast, lunch and dessert crepes. Tortilla Jack’s provides an old-fashioned Mexican atmosphere while serving tacos, burritos and other traditional Mexican food. Meanwhile, Ichabods Grill is the place to go to hang out with friends while watching sports over burgers, wings and drinks. Chesney Park isn’t really a shopping destination, though there is a Waters Hardware for tools. There are, however, dozens of big box retailers like Walmart, Target and Sam’s Club about 4 miles west. They’re all right by the two-story West Ridge Mall, which has more than 50 businesses. Along with retailers and restaurants, the mall is home to a Sky Zone Trampoline Park, a Game Zone arcade and an indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf course.
Meet with friends at Ichabods, a local spot at the southwest corner of Chesney Park.
Tortilla Jack's offers traditional Mexican food with favorites like taco salad & tostadas.
Westridge Mall is just 4 miles away and offers shoppers anything they are looking for.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Pepe Miranda,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Holliday Park
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
Big Shunga Park
Chandler Library Pavilion
Yager Stadium
Huntoon Park
Gage Park
Topeka Zoo
Shunga Glen Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Chesney Park
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
8
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Chesney Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Chesney Park, Topeka sell after 14 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Chesney Park, Topeka over the last 12 months is $70,000, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$77,500
Median Sale Price
$70,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$63,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
17
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-7%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$64
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
425
Median Year Built
1920
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,271
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,616
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Pepe Miranda,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,346
Median Age
32
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29.7%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$32,801
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$59,491
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
77.5%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
25.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.7%
% Population in Labor Force
65.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
72/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
57/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
32/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
