Rainbow Softball Center Pitching/Batting Cages

Thanks to some vandals that just want to destroy something for the pure excitment of destruction, the Rainbow Softball Center pitching/batting cages are closed indefinitely.

Sometime from 11:00 pm Saturday night, Aug 23 to 8:00 am Monday, Aug 25, vandals destroyed the central elevator, distribution pipes and all related wires. It's a wonder they didn't receive an electrical shock!!! Unfortunately, just to replace the elevator alone is going to cost nearly $5,000 so the department is looking at options.

What do you think we should do?

1. Replace and repair what is needed to get it operational. Estimated cost $5,000.

2. Renovate the cage and replace the elevator, pitching machines and coin boxes. The existing equipment is about 13-14 years old. Estimated cost: $18,000

3. Add batting cages similar to what is found at Antimi and American Legion. No pitching machines, just let teammates pitch to each other.

4. Do nothing.

A few comments: Over the last 10 years (1998-2008), the machines generated a total of $57,984 in revenue and had about $14,000 in expenses. This resulted in a profit of $43,984 for the 10 year period. The machines do generate revenue.....as long as they're working!!!

Let us know what you think!

Stephens Lake Park Drowning

Below is an official statement regarding the unfortunate accident at Stephens Lake Park:

_____________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tammy Miller - (573) 874-7465
Parks and Recreation Statement Regarding Stephens Lake Drowning

COLUMBIA, MO (August 29, 2008) - The Columbia Parks and Recreation Department is deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident that occurred at Stephens Lake Park on Thursday, Aug. 28. The department extends its thoughts and sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Jared Isaiah Healea.

At this time, the drowning appears to be a tragic accident. The department wishes to inform park users that Stephens Lake Park and the lake itself remain open for public use.

The Parks and Recreation Department would like to remind park visitors that swimming is allowed in the marked, designated area only. Complete swimming beach rules and guidelines are posted on site. For the safety of all concerned, swimmers are strongly encouraged to follow these rules.

The swimming beach at Stephens Lake Park opened in August 2004. Since that time, thousands of residents have frequented the beach and swimming area. The drowning is the first to have occurred since the park opened to the public.

Stephens Lake and the swimming beach is an unguarded, swim at your own risk facility. This type of facility is widely used throughout the country. There is no admission fee. The lake is open from May 1 to Sept. 30 during daylight hours, from dawn to dusk.

Parks and Recreation staff drafted the master plan of Stephens Lake Park in 2001-02, which included the swimming beach. The need for public swimming was identified in the master planning process for the park. After considering various options, it was decided to develop the swimming area as an unguarded, swim at your own risk beach area similar to the public swimming beaches at Finger Lakes State Park, Lake of the Ozarks State Park and other parks.


Archived press releases can be viewed online at:
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/

Thursday Night (8/28/08) Storm Damage

Mother Nature is certainly at it again. Thursday night's rain and high winds certainly caused us some problems. Throughout the day on Friday, reports kept coming in regarding trees and limbs on playgrounds, roads, trails and parks.

The photo above is at Stephens Lake Park where a limb fell on a portion of the Gordon Shelter Playground.

As bad as it is to lose a tree and some limbs, the messy problems were with the trash cans and port-a-pots blowing over and spilling their contents all over the parks. I think Cosmo Park took the worst hit in this regard. Nearly every trash can and portable toilet got blown over. Thank goodness we rent the port-a-pots and don't have to clean those!

Anyway, thank you to everyone who called in to report problems. This really helps us keep our crews moving as we don't have to spend a lot of time inspecting every park. By 7:30 am on Friday, we already knew about several problem areas all as a result of citizen assistance. Remember, the number to call and report any park problems is 573-874-7201. Program that number in your cell-phone!