John and Shelley Gardner have secured a grant to help fund the next expansion of their Pumpkin Pants Ranch in rural Ark City.
Last week, Lieutenant Gov. and Sec. of Commerce David Toland announced that 21 projects supporting 32 communities had received Kansas Tourism attraction development grants. Pumpkin Pants Ranch is to receive $9.990.50.
John Gardner – a co-owner of the 80-acre Pumpkin Pants Ranch – said the grant is a 60/40 split. Meaning the ranch east of Ark City will provide 60 percent of the funding for a project that will exceed $23,000 in total.
Two new large tipis with bases of 26 feet and 22 feet will join a tipi already in place that measures 18 feet at its base.
“The poles for the largest tipi are 30 feet long,” Gardner said by phone Tuesday morning. “It’s going to be like setting a tree.”
The project includes a bathroom and shower so that the tipis can be reserved online for primitive camping. The tipis are purchased from Nomadic Tipi Makers, which had tipis that were used in the filming of the movie Dances With Wolves, Gardner said.
Poles have arrived at the ranch, however, the tipis themselves are still being painted. Work should definitely be done in time for the fall season, but the project could be completed as soon as the end of July.
The Gardners also have a new billboard near Mulvane and are working to expand other attractions at the ranch.
“I hope. I hope. I hope, that we can do a powwow here,” John Gardner said. “I would love that.”
Pumpkin Pants Ranch is home to longhorns, various other farm animals, a pumpkin patch and much more. There are also facilities for hosting events.
Find out more at their website.
The ranch is located at 27799 115th Rd.
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