Winter Dog Park at Twin Lakes Recreation Area

For the months of December, January and February we will have the winter dog park area open to the public at Twin Lakes Recreation Area. The small pond in this area is much shallower than the large lake adjacent to the summer dog park, so the chance of a dog going through the ice and needing assistance is much less likely. March 1st we will open the large lake dog park area again. Please click on the image below for a larger image of the winter changes.

2010 Park Sales Tax Passes with 64%

Thank you to everyone that voted and supported the 2010 Park Sales Tax renewal. It was great to see that 31,888 of you voted for Proposition 1 with 20,520 of you placing a "Yes" vote.

For a complete list of projects that will be funded, please click here.

Work on Lange Shelter continues

Work on the shelter for Lange Park continues. The good weather has helped to keep construction moving along. The trusses, sheathing and tar paper are up. Work on the soffit is next.

ARC lot work is complete

The work on the ARC lot has been completed. There will be an occasional closure for restriping the parking areas but the large closures will be opened on Friday night (10/15).

Lange Park shelter under construction

The shelter for Lange Park is under construction. Hopefully the good weather will continue so that work can continue.

The seeding done earlier is coming in nicely. There will some need for spot seeding next spring but hopefully most of it will really take off after this winter.

ARC parking lot work continues

The continued good weather means the second part of the ARC lot work was completed and the last portion will start next Monday (Oct 11). The fence for the second portion will be left up until late today (Oct 8) to let the concrete cure a bit more before letting traffic on it.

Click on the image for a larger view or visit the ARC web site for a PDF version.

ARC Lot update

Thanks to good weather and a good contractor (Tom Adair Construction) the work on the first part of the ARC parking lot repair is complete. The fence will be left up until late Friday (Oct 1) to let the concrete cure a bit more before letting traffic on it.

The weather looks good for next week so expect the second part of the work to begin and a new part of the lot to be closed. Click on the image for a larger view or visit the ARC web site for a PDF version.

ARC Parking Lot Repairs will mean lot closures

Beginning next Monday (9/27) the ARC (Activity & Recreation Center) parking lot will have some extensive repairs done. Because of the these repairs parts of the lot will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The project will last approximately three weeks with different areas being closed as needed. Please be cautious when driving or walking through the lot as equipment and closure areas move.

Please click on the image for a better view. Or go to the ARC web site for a PDF version.

Restroom at Phillips Park is open

The weather and other projects have finally cooperated and allowed crews to do the final utility hook ups for the restroom at Phillips. It is a ADA flush restroom. Plans are to have it operate seasonally which means it will be closed for the winter.

Solar/Wind powered light installed at Philips Park

The Water and Light Dept has installed a parking lot light at Philips Park next to the ramp. The light uses both solar and wind to power the state of the art LED light. It was installed as a test to see how well the product works. If it is successful it may be used in areas where no electric is available.

A. Perry Philips Park (aka Philips Lake) Update

Two single table shelters are being constructed along the trail around the lake at A. Perry Philips Park. These shelters are available for donation. Please see the Donation Opportunities at Philips Park page on the Parks and Recreation web site for more information.

Also the utility hook ups for the restroom are continuing and hopefully wrapped up soon.

Hinkson Trail / Old 63 Pedway Project

HINKSON TRAIL / Old 63 PEDWAY PROJECT


BEGINNING SEPTEMBER, 7th, 2010 WEATHER PERMITTING, JC INDUSTRIES, OF JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI, CONTRACTOR FOR THE ABOVE REFERENCED PROJECT WILL BEGIN WORK.

THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY 6TH, 2011.

LANE CLOSURES ON SOUTHBOUND OLD 63 BETWEEN HINKSON CREEK AND STADIUM BLVD. ARE TO BE EXPECTED DURING THIS TIME.

AS PART OF THIS PROJECT THE SINGLE LANE VEHICLE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES HINKSON CREEK, A SECTION OF GREEN VALLEY DRIVE, WILL BE CLOSED PERMANENTLY TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND WILL BE MODIFIED FOR TRAIL USE ONLY.

Work segment from Broadway to Green Valley Dr/ Moon Valley Dr junction



Work segment from Hinkson Creek (as it passes under Old 63 S) to 1501 Old 63 S (just past Old63 & Stadium intersection)

Lot closures at Stephens Lake Park

The weather's looking good for this week so hopefully the sealing will be finished up this week.

Here are the last two lots for sealing

Old 63 Lot at Stephens will be CLOSED Tuesday August 24 and Wednesday August 25. The contractor will be working on this lot for most of the day.

Riechmann Lot will be CLOSED Thursday August 26 until Noon, Friday August 27.

No traffic, pedestrian or vehicle will be allowed during the closures. Please keep away from the lot. Any dust, grass, foot or vehicle traffic can effect the sealing.

Please note that both the Perimeter Trail the runs along the outside of the park and the Stephens Lake Activity Center (SLAC) will remain open. However please watch for equipment and personnel in these areas.

Trail Update Saturday, August 21, 2010

After Friday night's storms, there are several trees across the trails and many of the trail treads have ruts and debris.

P&R staff is scheduled to come in on Saturday to begin to work on the trails, so please use caution especially if you see equipment.

Please let us know of any problems you see by emailing Mike Griggs at mbg@GoColumbiaMo.com or leaving a phone message at 573-874-7202.

The Hinkson Creek Trail photos in this post were taken by Jeff B., one of our more ardent trail users.

Stephens Lake Amphitheater 8-20-2010

The orchestra pit, ADA accessible seating and half of main entry were stained yesterday, 8-19-2010. Next the stage floor and walls will receive the same treatment.

Smiley Lane Park 8-20-2010

Bioswale & Raingarden almost complete and ready for Autumn planting.

Wildlife already making the best of the water retaining properties of the sand/soil/mulch mix.

After the Rain Garden basin itself is mulched with Rainbow Rock, the storm-water treatment system will be mostly complete, except the plant materials which will be installed in early Autumn. Just around the corner.

Lange Park update

The weather has cooperated and the work at Lange Park and on the track for Lange Middle School is going well.

The site grading for the park has been completed and most of the trail is in. We have our building permit for the shelter and work will begin on it soon. Seeding of disturbed areas will start soon as well.

The rock work for the track has been completed. There is some touch up along the edges and some seeding in a swale to be done. The swale, behind the trailers, will correct a drainage problem and get runoff to move to the existing inlet.

Lange Park Playground is open

The playground at Lange Park is open for "business". The playground was installed last week. This week a Parks and Rec crew got most of the curbing installed and got the safety mulch put in. There are no concrete walks yet so if it's wet it will be muddy. Lange Park is located on Smiley Lane near the entrance to Lange Middle School.

Parking Lot closure at Albert Oakland

The small lot at Edris Drive (behind Oakland Junoir High School and near the basketball court) will be closed for sealing Thursday August 5 through Friday August 6 for sealing. No traffic will be allowed on the lot.

Lange Neighborhood Park

Construction of the new Lange Park began last week. The Playground has been installed and the area for the shelter has been graded. construction of the curbing around the playground has started. Hopefully a couple dry days will allow for the playground mulch to be delivered.

The first part of the running track at Lange Middle School has been started as well. This 400 meter three lane track will be used by the school PE and athletic clubs during school hours. During non-school use it will be available for the public.

Cosmo Park Lot and Road Closures 8-2 to 8-4

Asphalt Sealing projects will result in several lot and drive closures next week at Cosmo Park. The lots in front of the Black and Gold fields at the Antimi Complex and the lot by the R/C car area will be CLOSED Monday and Tuesday August 2 and 3.

The road from the Parkside Dr traffic circle to the main North/South drive in Cosmo will be CLOSED Tuesday and Wednesday August 3 and 4. This includes the road back to the T-Ball fields.

No vehicles or pedestrian traffic will be allowed on these areas while they are closed.

This asphalt sealing is an important maintenance item to insure a long life to the pavement in these areas.

Please use the Business Loop or Schwabe entries/exits.

MKT bridge replacement #s 12 & 13

The trail is officially open the entire length from downtown Columbia to the end of the city section @ Scott Blvd. The first people to cross, when the barricades were "officially" removed, were a runner, a pair of cyclists and a couple out for a walk, they probably did not realized it, but they christened bridge #12 and the newly resurfaced trail section.

Parks and Recreation staff still have to do the following at the site, but trail users will be allowed to pass work sites:

- Seeding of native wildflowers, to be performed at all disturbed areas around bridge #12
- Finishing of improved Katy Lakes connection / turn around and switchback.
- Planning for historic bridge marker - using salvaged bridge sections
- Planning and constructing new trail head signs

Houf Construction is installing steel plates that cover the connection from the concrete to steel truss section of bridges, at bridge #12, and a little site remediation work.

The parking lot at Scott Blvd has now been re-opened.

Thank you for your patience through this project. Even though it is July the contractor has only had 78 work days applied to this project, the other 68 days have been non-worked days, due to site, or weather conditions.

MKT Trail re-surfacing bridge #12(3/4 mile West of Twin Lakes) to Scott Blvd

Even though the Hinkson Creek is running extremely high, progress on
this part of the project will not be impacted. Progress yesterday and
this morning is good and we are hoping to be finished re-surfacing by
the end of the day.

The last of the silt fence will be removed tomorrow and along with the
last barricade.
Metal plates will be installed over the gaps between the concrete
sections and wood deck sections of bridge 12 tomorrow too.

The last part of the project will be the concrete work at the Scott Blvd
parking lot that will not preclude trail users.

MKT bridge replacement #s 12 & 13

Parks and rec staff and grading contractor are on site, resurfacing
trail today. Even though blue gates have been removed, there is still
construction activity occurring, as signed. Users may enter job site
after 4:30 this afternoon. Trail work is expected to be finished
tomorrow.

Trail users entering from Katy Lake estates will need to take care at the bottom of the hill as base rock has been placed for preliminary trail access improvements to correct drainage issues to the west.

MKT Bridge #12 & #13 7-27-2010

Today: Houf Construction is working their way out of the site and Roy Richardson & Son, Parks Recreation grading contractor is on the trail re-surfacing the trail from bridge #12 to the Scott Blvd trail access.
Tomorrow: Houf Construction will be removing their equipment and performing any last minute clean up tasks. Roy Richardson & Son, Parks Recreation grading contractor will be on the trail re-surfacing the trail from bridge #12 to the Scott Blvd trail access.

The trail section will remain closed until this weekend when the Parks & Recreation Department intends to have all the temporary gates and barriers removed and have the trail re-opened for all trail users.

Please do not enter the job site over the next few days. The site is a working job site and equipment operators are not always able to see trail users.

MKT Bridge 12 Replacement

Stephens Lake Park Parking Lot Closures Tues 7/27-Thur 7/29

Asphalt Sealing projects will result in several lot and drive closures next week at Stephens Lake Park. Tuesday 7/27 to Wednesday 7/28 the Broadway entrance and upper parking lot will be closed to ALL traffic including all vehicles and pedestrian traffic. The will be no access to the park from Broadway on those days. The contractor will work to keep the perimeter trail access open but expect detours and delays.

Wednesday 7/28 to Thursday 7/29 the East parking lot and drive will be closed to ALL traffic including all vehicles and pedestrian traffic.

This asphalt sealing is an important maintenance item to insure a long life to the pavement in these areas.

Please use the lots at Old 63 0r at the Riechmann Pavilion.

MKT Bridge #12 & #13 7-23-2010...4:00p.m. update Trail Open

Enjoy your trail!!!!

As of 3:30 this afternoon the trail section between Country Wood trail access and Scott Blvd
access is open for this weekend. the trail section will be closed again on Monday morning at 7:30 a.m.

Please use caution when traveling along this section of trail as there is loose rock on the trail in preparation for resurfacing next week. Use of this trail section is at users own risk.

MKT Bridge #12 & #13 7-23-2010..Trail Section Closed

Due to work in the creek to remove the temporary crossing and approach work on the West end of bridge 12, the trail section is closed today. If the contractor is not working tomorrow then the trail will reopen. Trail users will know if the trail section is open when the blue gate, at the Country Woods access point, is open. Trail users are encouraged not to try to pass the barricades if the contractor is working. The operators have a limited field of vision and are not expecting users in close proximity to their work area.
Thank you for your co-operation!!!

We anticipate only another week or so of trail interruption through this section of the MKT trail

MKT Bridge #12 & #13 7-21-2010...Flooding Flooding Go Away

The Hinkson is still close to breaking it's banks at the job site. The trail is open to trail users at their own risk. Due care should be taken through the entire length of the work site.

The Missouri is predicated to crest this Friday between Boonville & Jefferson City so flooding on the county and state sections of both the Katy Trail and the Hinkson might be encountered.

MKT Bridge #12 & #13 7-20-2010...Rain Rain Go Away

Rain Rain Go Away....
Site remediation would still be in progress apart from the the almost 1.5 inches of rain that have fallen over the last few days. The area where Houf Construction needs to be is to the right of the bridge, approximately 6 feet under the water!

The rock from the temporary crossing will be used in the west approach to allow for an ADA trail compliant slope. Therefore, since the material is underwater, the job site operations are shut down temporarily.

The barrier to the East of the bridge is partially open for trail users to use the trail (at their own risk). Please use extreme caution and due care through this section of trail as 3" rock has been added to the rutted areas in preparation for resurfacing and is a very loose for trail surface.

We appreciate your understanding in these last few weeks of the project. We anticipate providing you with a much upgraded, safer bridge and a fresh new surface for the trail segment.

MKT Bridge #12 & #13 7-16-2010

Site remediation is underway at the site today and therefore the section of trail between Country Woods Estates and Scott Blvd is closed to all trail users till 4:30 today.

We will re-open the trail for weekend use, but please be advised the approach work is still not complete and there is a great deal of rough material at each end of the bridge.

We will close the trail section again on Monday morning from 7:30-4:30 for the remainder of the week for finish work to be performed and subsequent re-grading work to be done between Scott and bridge #12.

The construction road around #12 and #13 are both in the process of being removed, so please use the constructed bridges.

The trail will be open after 4:30 each day at users own risk. Loose surface material and/or construction equipment will be the biggest dangers.

Paquin Park Update

The fencing, grading and re-seeding has been completed. The fencing was requested by the gardeners to reduce or hopefully eliminate vandalism and the theft of vegetables and fruit from the garden. There had been a long standing problem of produce being stolen right as it became ripe.

The last major item remaining in the project is the replacement or rehabilitation of the entry patio. The surface of the concrete is badly spalled. Several remedy options are being considered. Landscaping also remains to be completed.

MKT Bridge #12 & #13 7-14-2010

Riders cross Bridge #12 for the Ride with Carl for Sam event this morning.

Though the bridge is open for today's event, the work on approaches for bridge #12 will necessitate re-closing of this trail section, tomorrow, to all trail users. Heavy equipment will be in operation on the trail bed itself and rock trucks will be in continuous use between the trail access point at Scott Blvd & Bridge # 12. The trail will be open after 4:30 each day at users own risk. Loose surface material and/or construction equipment will be the biggest dangers.

Site remediation will take place at the same time as approach work. After both phases of work are completed then the trail section between the parking lot at Scott Blvd and bridge #12 will be re-graded to remove ruts created by construction activities and returned to a finished surface

In the next couple of weeks the job site will be extremely busy, so please avoid area during the working hours. Just to reiterate; the trail will be open after 4:30 each day at users own risk. Loose surface material and or construction equipment will be the biggest dangers.

The parking lot located on the East side of Scott Blvd is still closed, until all construction activities have ceased.

Time till project completion is approximately three weeks, weather permitting.

On weekends trail will be open all day, each day, unless contractor is working.

MKT bridge replacement update July 12, 2010

The temporary ramps are in place so that trail users can now pass over the bridge. Additional fill material will be brought in to make the slopes more gradual over the next couple of weeks. The contractor has yet to remove the construction road in the creek and rebuild the banks of the creek. Please slow down and move through with caution as there is still construction ongoing.

Rock Quarry Park drive and parking lots CLOSED-Tues 7/13 thru Wed 7/14

If the weather cooperates the lot and drive at Rock Quarry Park will be closed for asphalt sealing on Tuesday 7/13. The lot will remain closed until around noon Wednesday 7/14.

MKT bridge replacement update July 9, 2010

Heavy rains this week have kept the access road impassable. The railings have been completed for the bridge. The next step in the process is to build gravel ramps on both sides of the bridge, but gravel trucks need to be able to cross the creek to build the ramp on the north side.

Trail Condition Updates, Thursday, July 8, 2010

MKT: Tunnels cleared, some rills and surface washing in some trail sections, but overall the trail is in fairly decent shape. The Hinkson Creek did cross over the trail near the intersection of the MKT and the MU Recreation Trail, but the damage was minimal. It appears that the large pipes that were installed early in the spring helped prevent damage.

As of 4:00 pm, there's water over the trail west of Scott Blvd. You could probably ride through it, but you'll have to raise your feet and you'll get wet!


Bear Creek Trail: Usual damage- From Creasy Springs west to old Cosmo Park sled hill there's standing water, sand & silt and exposed base rock. Same conditions exist from east end boardwalk into Garth Nature Area. The trail portion by Northland, Rangeline and under Providence Road is also rough. The area between the boardwalk and bridge is also still in bad shape. Staff can not get trucks to this location to repair as the only access is through the creek.


Hinkson Creek Trail: The section by Rock Quarry Road washed out, otherwise in decent shape.


Neighborhood Parks and Trails
Staff is in the process of inspecting all neighborhood park trails, but if you notice anything in the park near you, we would appreciate it if you would let us know by calling 573-874-7201 and leave a message. Here are known problem areas:

Indian Hills and Rothwell Park has some washouts and rutting in places.

July 8, 2010 update

Heavy rains yesterday have the creeks flooded.

The access road is completely underwater, prohibiting the contractor from getting gravel to the far side of the creek to create the a ramp up to the bridge. They continue to work on the railings and grouting the trail surface of the concrete approaches.

July 7, 2010 update

The site is very wet from the ongoing rain we have had over the last several days.

The creek is over the construction road and so the section of trail is impassable.

It's up!

The replacement for the #12 Bridge on the MKT Trail has been set.

Hopefully the weather will hold and the rest of the work can continue.

Note that the Trail is not open yet. The approaches to the bridge still need to constructed. And there are sections of railing that still need to be installed.

But with good weather the trail could be open in two-three weeks.

MKT Bridge #12 - 6-29-2010

This last weekend's rains have swollen the Hinkson Creek, yet again. We are waiting for the water level to fall again by mid to late week. If the water does fall below the crossing we will be able to set the last section of bridge. Houf Construction has been unable to cross the creek for the last 3 weeks, due to the flooding and rain. Hopefully our luck will change later this week.

Restroom installation at Philips Park

A pre-fabricated restroom was installed at Philips Park. The utility hook-ups and finish concrete work will be done by Park staff over the coming weeks.

MKT Bridge #12 - 6-24-2010

Just watching and waiting....


6-21-2010



6-23-2010

6-24-2010

MKT Bridge #12 - 6-21-2010

The Hinkson Creek has backed up a further 2 feet at the bridge replacement job site. We do not expect the water level to recede below the construction bypass till at least next week. As mentioned in previous posts, once the water recedes below the bypass, we will have approximately 2 weeks or work till completion.

In the meanwhile before we get started again, please enjoy the site as it is quite peaceful and you can see plenty of wildlife approaching bridge #12 from either East or West.

MKT Bridge #12 - 6-18-2010

Unfortunately we have not been able to progress this week with the Hinkson Creek looking more like a pond than a creek this week. When the water recedes we will update you as to when the final bridge section will be installed. If any of you are interested the steel section of bridge is being stored on the parking lot at Scott on the East side of the road.

Paquin Park Improvements

The wet weather slowed the work at the Paquin but it's picking up. The Horticulture crew is doing some shape up and the fencing contractor should be on site next week.

MKT Bridge #12 - 6-15-2010

The Hinkson is still backed up from the Missouri and work has stalled on the site. Unfortunately all we can do is wait. Once the crossing is passable we will be on site approximately 2 more weeks.

According to the NOAA the Missouri River will crest at Boonville 1:00 a.m. June 20th and at Jefferson City 1:00 a.m. June 21st. When the Missouri recedes so should the Hinkson. Hopefully late next week there will be noticeable progress made (weather permitting)

MKT Bridge #12 - 6-11-2010

The temporary crossing that will be used as the assembly point for the two halves of the steel truss bridge is under water by 2 feet.


The Hinkson Creek is still backed up from both the Perche Creek and Missouri River. The Missouri River is not predicted to fall below flood stage, at Boonville, till Tuesday. Both Houf and Parks and Recreation staff are monitoring flood and weather forecasts to see when it will be possible to set cranes to lift this last and most important piece of the bridge into place. We will keep you posted as to when this will happen.

MKT Bridge #12 -6-9-2010

8:30 this morning - Welding guard rails on West bridge section. Waiting for bypass water to recede.









2:30 this afternoon - Guard rails installed. Water now rising over bypass.

We will wait and see how the water recedes by tomorrow a.m. to see if guard rails can be installed on East bank bridge section. A few more dry days will allow the cranes to set up on either side of the creek to install the last pieces of the bridge.