3:30 pm.
Due to flooding, the following Columbia Parks and Recreation Department trails were closed:
MKT Trail: MKT Stadium Blvd access to Forum Blvd.
MKT Trail: Bridge #12 to Scott Blvd access. Parking lot at Scott under water.
Bear Creek Trail: Creasy Springs access to Cosmo Park.
Check back for regular updates.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
New Policy on Athletic Field Cancellations
Wednesday, April 29 marks the beginning of an experiment regarding athletic field cancellations. Historically, if one field at a particular complex was too wet to play, all games at that complex were cancelled. So if the Blue and Orange fields were too wet, all games at the Rainbow Softball Center were cancelled.
This policy was largely created due to the problems relating to the player/parent notifications. For many years, the department relied primarily on the "P&R Hotline" a single line phone answering system where all of the department cancellations were verbally listed. Additionally, the local radio stations were called and they notified users over the air. Of course, not all radio stations reported cancellations as accurately as one hoped. There were many times that users heard "All parks and rec leagues are cancelled" when it fact only a specific complex was cancelled or it might have been a radio station based out of Jefferson City and they really meant that all Jeff City P&R leagues were cancelled as Columbia leagues were playing. Anyway, it was too difficult to try to cancel on a field by field basis so cancellations were made on a "complex" basis, ie, Rainbow Softball Center, Antimi, Albert-Oakland, American Legion, Hickman and Atkins.
Now, the department uses a combination of verbal and text methods to notify users. For the past few years, parents and players have been able to sign up for an email listserve which notifies users via an email whenever a game decision is made. Recently, the department added "texting" as an alternate method to receive cancellations notice. If you would like to sign up for one of these two options go to our "cancellations" web page and follow the easy instructions.
The ability of the P&R department to send you detailed information has made it viable for us to cancel games on a field-by-field basis. Wednesday, April 29 was the first time this was tried as the Orange and Blue fields were too wet at Rainbow but the other four fields were playable.
This experiment will continue throughout the 2009 season and will be evaluated to see whether or not to make this policy permanent.
So, as you receive your emails or texts, make sure you read them carefully!
This policy was largely created due to the problems relating to the player/parent notifications. For many years, the department relied primarily on the "P&R Hotline" a single line phone answering system where all of the department cancellations were verbally listed. Additionally, the local radio stations were called and they notified users over the air. Of course, not all radio stations reported cancellations as accurately as one hoped. There were many times that users heard "All parks and rec leagues are cancelled" when it fact only a specific complex was cancelled or it might have been a radio station based out of Jefferson City and they really meant that all Jeff City P&R leagues were cancelled as Columbia leagues were playing. Anyway, it was too difficult to try to cancel on a field by field basis so cancellations were made on a "complex" basis, ie, Rainbow Softball Center, Antimi, Albert-Oakland, American Legion, Hickman and Atkins.
Now, the department uses a combination of verbal and text methods to notify users. For the past few years, parents and players have been able to sign up for an email listserve which notifies users via an email whenever a game decision is made. Recently, the department added "texting" as an alternate method to receive cancellations notice. If you would like to sign up for one of these two options go to our "cancellations" web page and follow the easy instructions.
The ability of the P&R department to send you detailed information has made it viable for us to cancel games on a field-by-field basis. Wednesday, April 29 was the first time this was tried as the Orange and Blue fields were too wet at Rainbow but the other four fields were playable.
This experiment will continue throughout the 2009 season and will be evaluated to see whether or not to make this policy permanent.
So, as you receive your emails or texts, make sure you read them carefully!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
NBC's new TV Show: "Parks and Recreation"
Check out video previews of NBC's new TV show titled "Parks and Recreation" starring Amy Poehler from "Saturday Night Live." Show airs on Thursdays, starting April 9. I posted my favorite.
Here's a link to the show's fictional "City of Pawnee." Read Leslie's (Poehler) welcome. It's really good. Here's a blurb:
"Want to breathe some fresh air and toss a frisbee around? Visit any one of our terrific parks! (Except Ramsett Park, where frisbees are still prohibited due to the unfortunate dog-related incident last September.)"
Here's a link to the show's fictional "City of Pawnee." Read Leslie's (Poehler) welcome. It's really good. Here's a blurb:
"Want to breathe some fresh air and toss a frisbee around? Visit any one of our terrific parks! (Except Ramsett Park, where frisbees are still prohibited due to the unfortunate dog-related incident last September.)"
Friday, March 20, 2009
Coming Soon: Corporate Sponsors of Parks?
Instead of playing soccer games in Cosmo Park, how about playing your games in Purina Park or maybe on the 3M Athletic Complex? It may not happen here in Columbia, MO but it could happen in Suffolk County NY.
As discussed in the Newsday.com website: "Lou D’Amaro (D-Huntington Station) has introduced a bill that would raise revenue by allowing businesses to sponsor suitable locations within county parks. Sponsorship would give business owners an opportunity to increase their exposure and involvement in the local community, while at the same time providing additional revenues for county parkland protection, management, and maintenance without raising taxes."
Considerations such as the type of business, sponsor amount and specific location are all critical to the success of such a venture. For example, many communities wouldn't want an adult bookstore as a sponsor but may be fine with sponsorships from alcohol products for adult sports leagues.
Not everyone is okay with this proposed legislation. In a blogger response, "Dale" states: "The trend of corporate sponsorship for civic spaces is very very troubling and simply plays to the fear our elected representatives have for responsible taxation, the short-sightedness of voters who want something for nothing, and the willingness of corporations to get inexpensive promotion."
Who knows what will happen down the road with this issue of corporate sponsorships? So maybe next spring, instead of planting your garden at Paquin or Fairview, you could be planting at Steel Reserve Park!
As discussed in the Newsday.com website: "Lou D’Amaro (D-Huntington Station) has introduced a bill that would raise revenue by allowing businesses to sponsor suitable locations within county parks. Sponsorship would give business owners an opportunity to increase their exposure and involvement in the local community, while at the same time providing additional revenues for county parkland protection, management, and maintenance without raising taxes."
Considerations such as the type of business, sponsor amount and specific location are all critical to the success of such a venture. For example, many communities wouldn't want an adult bookstore as a sponsor but may be fine with sponsorships from alcohol products for adult sports leagues.
Not everyone is okay with this proposed legislation. In a blogger response, "Dale" states: "The trend of corporate sponsorship for civic spaces is very very troubling and simply plays to the fear our elected representatives have for responsible taxation, the short-sightedness of voters who want something for nothing, and the willingness of corporations to get inexpensive promotion."
Who knows what will happen down the road with this issue of corporate sponsorships? So maybe next spring, instead of planting your garden at Paquin or Fairview, you could be planting at Steel Reserve Park!
Philly: 207 apply for 9 seats on new Parks & Recreation Commission
Philadelphia is facing extreme budget problems and last year closed nearly all of their swimming pools. In July, voters approved a measure that would merge the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation, creating a new Parks and Recreation Department. As noted in the article:
"The clamor of so many candidates for the parks and recreation panel is another positive step in the effort to remake a city jewel. That's what voters called for in November when they merged parks with recreation, as most cities do. The advisory panel will set policy in vital areas such as parkland preservation."
Philadelphia is finding that a combined, comprehensive parks and recreation department is the most economical and efficient method to provide recreational opportunities for its' citizens.
More information may be found at the Philly.com
"The clamor of so many candidates for the parks and recreation panel is another positive step in the effort to remake a city jewel. That's what voters called for in November when they merged parks with recreation, as most cities do. The advisory panel will set policy in vital areas such as parkland preservation."
Philadelphia is finding that a combined, comprehensive parks and recreation department is the most economical and efficient method to provide recreational opportunities for its' citizens.
More information may be found at the Philly.com
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Twin Lakes Fishing Dock Damaged
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Guess the sudden micro-burst we had on Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 was a bit more serious than we thought.
The wind turned over the fishing dock located at the Twin Lakes Recreation Area. Park staff is working with several vendors to determine whether the dock can be partially save or if a new one is necessary. Park staff has flipped the dock back over.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Souteast Regional Park Planning Meetings Scheduled
The next step towards developing the Southeast Regional Park, individually known as the A. Perry Philips Park and the Gans Creek Recreation Area, begins next week with the first of two public meetings.
Both meetings as scheduled below will be held in the meeting rooms at the Activity and Recreation Center (ARC), 1701 West Ash Street.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 7:00 pm
- Wednesday, January 7, 2009 7:00 pm
Meetings will begin at 7:00 pm with a 30-45 minute presentation by park staff and following the presentation, staff will be available for comments and discussion. Participants will be asked to submit comments on specific forms that may be turned in during the meeting or at a later date.
These meetings are designed to introduce two concept plans as developed by park planners. These plans were created using information derived from two public meetings in November 2007, seven interested parties meetings in December 2007 and comments from a web based survey. Park planners also evaluated current facilities and compared them to future needs of the department and those that use the parks and facilities. A park natural resource inventory was conducted by staff from the Missouri Department of Natural Recources and these plans were developed in conjunction with their comments. These plans are available for viewing at the following location:
The natural resouce inventory is available for public viewing on the P&R Department's Southeast Regional Park Planning website. Much more information is available on this website as noted below.
- Report on the Natural Features Inventory of the Crane Property
- Philips and Gans Creek Parcel Tracts
- Council Report regarding Southeast Regional Park Planning Process 11/20/08
- Initial Regional Park Planning PowerPoint Presentation 11/8/07 and 11/12/07
For current information and updates, please join our Regional Park Planning Web Mail. Click here for the Web Mail link.
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