Major Construction at Atkins wrapping up

The major construction at the Atkins ballfield complex is wrapping up. The third filed is in play now. The concession stand exterior is complete. There's just some interior items, the sewer line and some stormwater controls to be completed.

There's a lot of finishing touches like landscape, some more walks and removal of excess materials to be done. But the big items are just about complete.

Atkins overflow parking area ready for use

With the third field almost ready for use it was apparent there was need for additional parking at the Atkins Ballfield Complex. There's a new graveled area that can be used for parking if the asphalt lots fill up.

By a lucky coincidence, this gravel area in is the spot were there was a top soil stockpile. Since the topsoil needed to be moved it was placed where the two remaining fields will be eventually built. They'll be getting a temporary seeding to prevent erosion but the fields will be seeded with the outfield grass in the fall.Until their final construction these areas could become warm up fields.

Wrapping up at the Maplewood Barn site

The good weather has allowed a lot of exterior work to be completed at the Maplewood Barn project. The poles for the light and sound equipment have been installed. These poles were originally at the Rapp Tennis Complex in Cosmo Park. They were salvaged when new lights were installed. The Maplewood Community Theater group sanded them and they will be painting and installing the theater lights. The wiring will also be completed by the group.

There's been a lot of new walks added as well. These walks, build to ADA standards, provide access to the barn, stage, audience area and the restrooms in the park. There's still a bit to go but it could be wrapped up by next week.

Lastly there's brand new sod installed in the audience area. Most of the rest of the disturbed area will be seeded and strawed.

The dedication is less than a week away and the first performance the week after. But it looks like the site will be pretty much done.

Maplewood Barn Update

The heavy rains over the weekend have put a temporary stop to the exterior work at the Barn. But the stage is done, all the subsurface drainage is installed, most of the conduit for the stage lights is installed, the light pole piers are installed and a lot of the sidewalks are in. Final painting (anything white will be painted to match the barn) and the installation of the window should happen this week.

Once the walks are complete, the conduit is finished and the poles installed, the sodding of the area immediately in front of the stage and seeding/strawing of the other areas can happen. 

Inside there's HVAC work going on. The Maplewood Community Theater has contracted with a plumber to do the fixture and finish plumbing work. And the group has started to load their theater materials in.

Dedication is in 16 days. But with a little luck and some dry weather it should be looking pretty good.

There are more photos of the construction at minus.com.

MKT Stadium Tunnel closed for construction

Contact: Public Works Department (573) 874-7250

Construction of Stadium MKT Trail Connector

COLUMBIA, MO (March 22, 2012) -
The City of Columbia Public Works Department announces that beginning Monday, March 26, at 7 a.m., Grun-D Construction of Tipton, Mo., will begin construction of the Stadium MKT Trail Connector.

This work will result in a temporary closure of the pedestrian tunnel under Stadium Boulevard, between West Boulevard and Carrie Francke Drive. Pedestrians are urged to use alternative trails until the project is completed. Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution when traveling on Stadium Boulevard between West Boulevard and Carrie Francke Drive for the possibility of pedestrians crossing.

This project is funded by the GetAbout Columbia Non Motorized Transportation Pilot Program and should be completed by the end of April 2012, weather permitting.

Why Trails Benefit Our Community StL Post-Dispatch article

Why Trails Benefit our Community--5 Questions for Susan Trautman, Executive Director, St. Louis Great Rivers Greenway District.

Here's a great article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch discussing issues such as economic development benefits of trails and the value of a connected network. Several great examples are included.

3M Wetlands Restoration Project - Treekeepers CARP project

With spring in the air it is time for another round of planting at the 3M wetlands site. We still have roughly 600 shrubs and trees to plant throughout the site, so with any luck we will have the same if not more volunteers for this next round of volunteering.

The event is scheduled for Saturday March 24th at 8:00a.m. meeting again at the site end nearest to the Forum Nature Area parking lot.

More details on how to sign up go here. to the TreeKeepers website or here to the Volunteer Services main website. Both CARP and TreeKeepers will be involved in the project and anyone who has an interest in the environment is more than welcome.

Look forward to seeing you there!