Douglass Park Improvements-Sprayground & Baseball

The department is getting ready to introduce park improvements at Douglass Park. These improvements include the construction of a "sprayground" and renovation of the baseball field.

The sprayground will certainly be a unique feature in Douglass. When the Douglass Pool is open for use, the sprayground will only be available to those that pay their $1.00 entry fee and enter the pool. When the pool is closed, we will have gates that will open to the park and allow park users to enter the sprayground area, but not the pool. This is done to provide aquatic experiences for a longer period of time. For example, Douglass Pool usually opens after school lets out and closes in mid-August. The sprayground will be open from May to the end of September providing park users more opportunities to enjoy themselves.

Improvements to the Douglass baseball field include grading work, new fence down the foul lines, additional storage for equipment and additional lighting. This program has grown over the years almost to the point of needing additional fields.

Our department strongly believes that positive activities will deter negative activities from happening. Last year we rarely had problems during the baseball league games and when the pool was open. There was just too many people there that cared about the parks. Research has shown that the worst thing you can do to prevent crime is to let the facilities deteriorate or shut them down. That only makes it less inviting to those that want to enjoy themselves.

There are more users coming back to the park as well. For example, we had 5,626 visits to the pool in 2008. This is a 54.73% increase over the 3,636 visits in 2007. Plus, 2008 was one of the worst seasons for pool use due to all of the rain!

Check out the proposed improvements and if you have any comments, please don't hesitate to post them or send them our way.

Former ASA Chief Wins National Award

As reported in the Springfield News-Leader, fellow parks and recreation professional Dan Kinney received a national award at the National Recreation and Park Association's annual 2008 conference in Baltimore, MD.

Former Springfield-Greene County, Missouri Park Department Director Dan Kinney has been recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association for his contributions to parks and recreation.

Kinney received the 2008 National R.O.S.E. Award during the association’s convention in Baltimore. As a R.O.S.E winner (Recognition Of Significant Efforts) Kinney was recognized for his efforts in “going the extra mile” to advance parks and recreation during his tenure, according to a news release.

A panel of parks and recreation professionals reviews and judges all application materials. Judges are chosen for their considerable experiences and knowledge in parks and recreation on both local and national levels.

Kinney retired in January 2006 after serving 35 years with the department. He became director in 1977. During his tenure, the parks system grew from 33 parks and recreation facilities in 1971 to 88 in 2005, with more than 75 miles of linear park trails.

Columbians know Dan Kinney primarily for his work as the state director of the Missouri Amateur Softball Association. He has since passed this on to Joey Rich.

Atkins Baseball Field Lights

We're getting close to getting the new Atkins Park baseball complex ready for the 2009 spring season. The lights were tested last week and are performing to our high expectations.

These are MUSCO Sports Lights and represent state of the art technology with their "Light Structure-Green" product. As you can see from the actual photo of our park planners testing the lights, these lights are designed to minimize any spill lights either outside of the field or lighting up the night sky. So, if you live in the area and are concerned with the ball field lights, this photo shows how mimimal their impact will be.

These two fields are going to be two of the best baseball fields in Columbia and we're really looking forward to next season.

Check back often for updates.

Winter Trout Program Restored!!!

For the past five years, the City of Columbia sponsored 50% of the funding required to conduct a winter trout fishing program in Cosmo-Bethel Park. The amount of this contribution ranged from $2,200-$2,600. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, funding in the amount of $2,600 was removed in a budget amendment dated September 25, 2008.

Once board members of the local Mid-Missouri Chapter of Trout Unlimited organization heard about the cancellation of the program, they agreed to pick-up the City's portion through the use of Chapter funds and private donations. The Missouri Department of Conservation agreed to continue their sponsorship of 50% of the program and together, the 2008-2009 winter trout program will proceed as originally planned. Total cost of this program ranges from $5,000-$6,000 depending on the number and size of the trout stocked.

Funding for the 2009-2010 winter trout season is uncertain at this time. In order to provide time for the vendors to raise fish for this program a funding decision must be made prior to May 1, 2009.

If you'd like to help out and possibly donate funds for the trout program, please contact the Mid-Missouri Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Dead Carp at Twin Lakes--No Concern

On Monday morning, November 3, we counted 11 dead carp on Monday and immediately contacted the Missouri Dept of Conservation asking them to check it out. Since carp was the only fish found dead by our staff and theirs, it at least shows that the water quality is not the cause. Carp is the last fish to die in cases of poor water quality and other contaminants.

Had there been gizzard shad, bass, catfish or other species, we and MDC would be very concerned. One explanation offered by MDC was that these fish were either caught by fishermen and just tossed back in mortally wounded or that some private individual tried to stock the lake with fish from another lake.

Wish I had a better explanation, but I'm afraid I don't have the answer.

However, we're watching it very closely.

Cascades and Smiley Lane Park Plans

The department is ready to proceed with City Council approval of the park master plans for the Cascades and Smiley Lane Parks. Our goal is to introduce the plans at the November 17 Council meeting and schedule a public hearing on Monday, December 1.

These plans would not be possible without the help of everyone that attended the park interested parties meetings and those that took the time to check out our website and send us comments. We take great pride in the fact that our parks are planned and developed in cooperation with neighbors and park users.

Check back for updates on the process.