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County tables Cochran contract for boat ramp design; secures $75,000 DNR grant for poured‑in‑place playground surface
Summary
Commissioners decided to table a proposed contract with Cochran for a boat ramp and shade structure design tied to an RTB Recreation & Trails grant and heard that the county received a $75,000 DNR grant for a poured-in-place recycled-tire playground surface to be completed around April 2027.
County staff described two park projects during the meeting: a design/contract for a boat ramp, shade structure and parking extension connected to a Recreation and Trails (RTB) grant and a separate Missouri Department of Natural Resources grant to install a recycled‑tire poured‑in‑place playground surface.
Boat ramp and Cochran contract
Staff said the county will use RTB Recreation and Trails grant funding to install a concrete boat ramp, a shade structure and an extended/asphalt parking lot at Mountain Creek Park (county staff used phrasing in the transcript indicating the project is on county property and tied to the 2025 RTB grant). Cochran Engineers has been involved on an on‑call basis for park design work; County staff said Cochran has not yet provided the formal contract and that Cochran’s contract addendum (with cost figures) is still pending. Because the contract language and final dollar amounts were not available at the meeting, commissioners elected to table the contract item for follow‑up rather than sign it at the meeting.
Playground surface grant
Separately, staff announced the county secured a $75,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to install a poured‑in‑place recycled‑tire playground surface. Parks staff said the planned play area measures roughly 160 feet by 100 feet (about a half acre) and that the anticipated completion date is around April 2027. Staff explained poured‑in‑place surfacing is a warm‑applied rubber mat made from shredded tires that provides a seamless, impact‑absorbing surface and reduces transfer of loose mulch.
Questions and next steps
Commissioners asked about contract timing and dollar caps for the boat‑ramp design; staff said the RTB grant includes a cap amount for design work and that the county would not know exact Cochran charges until Cochran completes its contract draft. Staff recommended adding an addendum to Cochran’s on‑call services to document amounts. For the playground, staff said they will pursue additional grants and sponsorships to fund equipment and installation beyond the DNR surfacing award and invited public input on playground elements and sponsorship opportunities.
Ending: County staff will return with the Cochran contract language and final numbers for commission approval; playground funding and sponsorship outreach will continue over the next year.
