PITTSBURG, Kan. — New playground equipment has been installed and dedicated in memory of former Pittsburg Director of the Parks and Recreation Department Toby Book.
More than 50 community members, including city officials, workers, and Rotarians gathered at the Paul B. Leffler Rotary Park, 757 W. 4th St, for the ribbon cutting and plaque unveiling ceremony. Book’s family was also present at the event.
Book, who died in November 2025, was instrumental in updating the new equipment, according to Immediate Past Rotary President Bryce Anderson.
This two-year project was funded with a $25,000 Pritchett Trust grant, a $10,000 anonymous donation and Rotary funds.
Anderson said he noticed that replacing the park’s aging equipment had been stuck on the club’s agenda for a while. He partnered with the City of Pittsburg and Book, who was determined and enthusiastic about the project.
“Toby was a champion of it from the beginning,” Anderson said. “He was super positive and optimistic throughout the whole process, and he knew we could get it done and he made sure that it happened.”
Book oversaw and coordinated the removal of the old equipment, which was more than 20 years old. He also helped find the right equipment that matched the vision of the Rotarians, as they wanted to ensure the area was accessible to every young child.
“It’s a great park for the community,” Anderson said. “Toby found us proper size and proper safety for the age group we were focusing on, so that little kids could come out here and really play in a nice environment.”
Jeff Wilbert, who was one of the people who initiated an overhaul of the park in the late 1990s, said it was a special place that meant a lot to his family.
“It’s a perfect update,” he said.
Paul B. Leffler Rotary Park was funded by Dr. Leffler, who practiced medicine in Pittsburg for more than 30 years. The park was dedicated in his honor in 1999 after he donated funds to install new equipment.
This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.
