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Carthage council approves phased disc-golf redesign and clears several park event requests; ash tree removals to proceed in phases
Summary
Council approved a phased redesign and installation of an 18-hole disc-golf course at Kellogg Lake, approved vendor and event permissions for fall community events and festivals, and heard a report on planned phased ash-tree removals tied to a Missouri Department of Conservation cost-share grant.
The council approved a phased redesign and installation of a disc-golf course at Kellogg Lake after a presentation from the Joplin Disc Golf Association. The design will reroute holes away from high-traffic park areas, add beginner-friendly layout elements, and ultimately include a putting course and driving range to be added as labor and funds allow. Baskets have already been purchased, and the committee indicated the city will budget for concrete tee pads and associated materials by phase.
The council also approved several park- and event-related requests discussed in committee: permission for the Scoop It ice-cream food truck to serve at the Carthage Area United Way golf tournament on Sept. 20, authorization for a proposed monthly senior shamble golf tournament (revenue split between green fees, cart fees and pro shop), and permission for Vision Carthage’s Dumpster Day on Oct. 4 at Fair Acres and for Vision Carthage to use Central Park as a staging area for the citywide cleanup (date noted as Oct. 10 or Oct. 11 in committee discussion). The council passed a separate resolution supporting the Maple Leaf Festival, which bundles road closures and related public-safety permissions for the festival.
On urban forest management, John Skinner presented results of a 2024 tree inventory identifying 122 ash trees affected by insect infestation. To qualify for the Missouri Department of Conservation cost-share program, the city must plant two replacement trees for each one removed; that requirement increases labor demands because replacements must be hand-watered outside existing irrigation. The city plans a phased approach: 13 removals and 26 replacements this year, with additional phases to follow. The committee recommended scaling removals to limit park-staff labor impacts; no council action was required for the grant application at the meeting.
Council and committee members emphasized safety and staged budgeting for the disc-golf project and the park tree program. Several councilmembers voiced enthusiasm for the disc-golf addition and for volunteer-driven cleanup and festival activities.
