Parks staff report: Emerald Ridge opens, campground revenue and upgrades, trail and parking projects move forward

Parks staff told the Smithville Park Board that Emerald Ridge park is complete, campground reservations and revenue are up, and several park capital projects are moving toward construction.

"We'll start off with Emerald Ridge. Yay. It is finally done," parks staff member Matt said, noting the playground includes an accessible wheelchair swing that staff said is one of two in Missouri and has other accessibility features.

Staff reported that the community awards banquet, run in partnership with the Smithville Chamber of Commerce and the legacy fund, brought in just over $32,000; the legacy fund received $16,000 toward a future Heritage Park project. Matt said that amount is about $3,000 higher than the prior year.

The campground opened April 1 and staff reported strong early demand: there were 207 reservations on April 1 that brought in just over $32,000. Matt said the department has invested nearly $100,000 in a campground road project to address deterioration from larger RVs and routine use. Staff added seven new tent campsites accessed by a new gravel road behind the campground; those sites were completed recently and will be added to the reservation software.

The Campos family, current campground operators, are in the third year of a three-year contract and have indicated they plan to return; staff said the contract will be put out to bid as required.

Staff updated the board on developer-funded work tied to park-in-lieu fees. Matt said parking-lot engineering is nearly complete and staff negotiated with developers so the work can be completed in lieu of $133,000 in park fees, with no city dollars required. The initial price figure referenced in the meeting was not clear in the transcript; staff said they reduced the proposal to $133,000 through scope changes and in-house work and will present the details to the Board of Aldermen on May 6.

Work on the Okay Railroad Trail is moving toward a bid package; staff said the scope is largely concrete over an already compacted route and the goal is to have the trail constructed and open by June if the schedule allows.

Recreation staff reported increased participation across spring programs: spring soccer registrations rose by nearly 50 participants to about 302, softball registrations increased from 81 to 107, and youth programs such as a contracted soccer clinic and science and gardening clubs reported positive feedback. Staff also reported steady senior center reservations and increased use of a scout camping area.

Staff said they will continue to bring project updates to the board and will return with contract and bidding details for aldermanic review.

Procedural items: the board moved and seconded approval of the minutes from the Jan. 23, 2025 meeting; staff noted that several members abstained because they had not attended that earlier meeting. The board adjourned at the end of the meeting after a motion and second.