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Park board reviews master plan, flags Liberty Field aeration, backstops and disc-golf items for budget
Summary
Board members reviewed the park master plan and early budget requests from the park superintendent, highlighting Liberty Field aeration/overseeding, backstop replacements for baseball fields, playground and dog-park improvements, and bridge/river-access as longer-term priorities.
The Park Board reviewed elements of the Park Master Plan and initial project and budget requests submitted for the next fiscal year, and identified several items to prioritize for capital planning.
Board members said Park Superintendent Chris Fowler had submitted early project requests that include Liberty Field aeration/overseeding/fertilizing, replacement of backstops on baseball Fields 1 and 2, playground equipment for Liberty Field, picnic tables and parking-lot-related items, and rock or mulch at playground sites. Board members noted the concession stand, previously improved in 2017, is stocked and used by PSA; the board discussed that PSA stores significant equipment there and that the city maintains the building and bathrooms.
The board discussed dog-park shade structures and water service, disc-golf improvements (pads, signage and benches), and a solar security light placed near the disc-golf course entrance that awaits installation. Members also mentioned the skate-park design work approved with SWT and that prior grant work (skate park grant) was handled in prior rounds.
On longer-term capital projects the board discussed pursuing state grant funding for river access and a new bridge over Brush Creek to reach parkland on the far side of the creek. Participants said initial estimates for a bridge that could handle vehicle traffic and meet flood requirements had previously been in the neighborhood of $750,000; board members noted the Missouri State Municipal League grant program and said grant ceilings have changed in recent rounds and could support larger projects. The board discussed possible partnerships with civic groups to sponsor pavilions or similar amenities once access is improved.
Members asked staff to update the master-plan action list and to identify smaller items that could be offered as Eagle Scout or similar volunteer projects. The board also requested attendance numbers for the pool and other facilities before committing further operating dollars.
No final budget was adopted; the board asked staff to refine the requests and return them as recommended line items for the next budget cycle.
