TLRA work is moving quickly

The work for the road repairs is going rather quickly. Both the old pipes have been replaced and three new ones have been installed. A lot of the rock work was completed as well. All of this in three days. And while getting the drive re-opened by 3 pm.

The next step is working on the ends on the entry road. Work will start at the south end (near the lots). Later this week the work will move to actual entrance. When the entrance work occurs NO PARKING ANYWHERE ALONG THE ROAD WILL BE POSSIBLE. Some people have been parking near the entrance. Please realize that there is a lot of construction traffic, especially rock trucks. If you park anywhere along the road your vehicle may be damaged. Please either walk in or use one of the other dog parks during the day.

Please be aware that conditions are changing daily on the site. This is a work in progress and our hope is finish quickly. This means that a lane that was not too bumpy today may be very uneven tomorrow. Materials that were far away from the road edge yesterday may be right next to it today.

Please keep an eye out for changing conditions, materials, equipment and especially personnel.

10-18-2011 removal of Invasive Honeysuckle from 3M UERP

As part of the partnership agreement with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation's grant conservation measures, our Forestry crew removed the majority of the Invasive Honeysuckle that has been growing on the northern embankment of the M-K-T trail. The activity is also being done in preparation for the undergrounding of the existing overhead power lines that parallel the trail. This undergrounding work is a partnership between Parks & Recreation and Water & Light.

The two main values to the citizens of Columbia and goals of this particular activity will be;

1. Elimination of the maintenance need to trim trees along alignment, thereby reducing the expenditure of monies for this work and the common problem of tree topping or killing of trees.

and

2. Bringing the view shed of the site back to what the natural area would look like without human influence.

We hope you enjoy this new outdoor recreational area as we finish out our work over the winter months.

Also, keep and eye out for the Get-About project that is slated to begin in the Spring that will connect Katy Parkway to the M-K-T Trail winding through the wooded hillside above the wetlands site.

Twin Lakes Rec Area Road Repairs Starting Wednesday October 26. Road and Lots closed during 7AM-3PM weekdays

Just a reminder...

The repair work for the Twin Lakes Recreation Area entry road begins tomorrow (Wednesday 10/26). The road and parking lots will be closed to public traffic from 7AM to 3PM Monday to Friday. The road and lots will be open after 3PM weekdays and on the weekends.

This closure is necessary so the work for the road repair can proceed safely. And while the road will be open in the evenings and on weekends please be careful and attentive. There will possible lane closures, loose rock, equipment and materials in the area. The road will probably be quite rough as well.

The Parks and Recreation Dept is anticipating the work to take several weeks. Once the rock work is done the asphalt will only take a day or two.

The blog will be updated with more info, schedules, closures etc.

Please be patient and careful. With some good weather there should be a new road in a couple weeks.

Shepard tennis courts are completed!

The replacment of two tennis courts at Shepard School/ Park is complete. We still have soil, seed and straw work left around the courts, but the courts themselves are ready for public use. There are also 4 new basketball goals on the courts and lines for pickle-ball play. We hope you enjoy Columbia's newest tennis courts.

Twin Lakes Rec Area Road and Parking Lots Closure Beginning Wednesday October 26, 2011

Beginning Wednesday October 26 the Twin Lakes Recreation Area entry road and parking lots will be CLOSED TO ALL PUBLIC TRAFFIC during the hours of 7 am to 3 pm Monday-Friday. The road and lots will be re-opened each evening and on the weekends. There will be construction traffic but no private traffic will be allowed. These closures will remain in effect until the road work is completed. If the weather holds, the work should be completed in mid November.

The park will remain open during these hours. However no traffic will be allowed on the road or on the parking lots. If you'd like to access the park during weekdays please use the MKT Trail from either Forum Nature Area or the MKT access at Scott Blvd. You can also use the new County House Trail that starts at Stadium Blvd and College Park Dr.

If you're looking for a place to run your dog during the day it may be easier to use one of the two other fenced dog parks at Garth Nature Area and at Indian Hills Park. Off leash areas are available at Grindstone Nature Area and in Cosmo Park- Bear Creek Nature Area. See the Leash-Free Areas for Dogs page for more info.

After 3 pm weekdays and on weekends the road will be passable. However, work may still be going on. Please watch for lane closures, loose rock, bumps and uneven pavement. Also watch for equipment, construction materials and any directions you're given from workers on site.

This will be a challenging project trying to balance getting the road back into shape and allowing for some access. Please be patient and watchful.

Twin Lakes Rec Area Entry Road work to begin soon

If the weather holds and other projects cooperate, the work to repair the entry road at Twin Lakes Recreation Area (TLRA) will begin in a couple weeks.

This work will require the road to be CLOSED TO ALL PUBLIC TRAFFIC during the hours of 7 am to 3 pm Monday-Friday. The road will be re-opened each evening and on the weekends.

If you need to access the park during the day Monday-Friday, please use the MKT Trail or the new County House Trail. Both will remain open during the road closures.

The dog park will be open. However access during the day will only be via the MKT or County House Trails. The two other fenced dog parks available at Garth Nature Area and at Indian Hills Park. Off leash areas are available at Grindstone Nature Area and in Cosmo Park- Bear Creek Nature Area. Please see our off-leash info webpage.

This closure is for the safety of the public. There will be impassable areas, trenching for pipes and many rock trucks. All of these present safety hazards to people and property.

The closure is also necessary so the construction work can proceed quickly. Every time construction is stopped for a passing car, bike or pedestrian adds to the length of the road closure.

If you have questions/comments please call 874-7201 or e-mail Toney Lowery at ajlowery@gocolumbiamo.com