Planning commission approves Noah’s Ark playground at former Segway site on Highway 165

The Branson Planning Commission on July 1 approved a special use permit to operate a private park and playground called Noah’s Ark in the Park at 299 South State Highway 165, the former Segway Park, voting 10-0 to grant the permit with conditions.

Planning staff recommended approval, telling commissioners the property is zoned Community Commercial and that a park and playground is a conditional use under Branson’s zoning code (Chapter 94). The staff report noted the site is physically suitable, has existing utilities, and that the applicant had published legal notice and mailed property-owner postcards as required. The permit is conditioned on compliance with all applicable city, state and federal requirements, and will be null and void if required actions are not completed on or before 07/01/2026.

The permit matter was presented to the commission as a reuse of the former Segway Park located south of 76 Country Boulevard. Planning staff said the proposed site plan shows play structures geared to younger children and that the park would be fenced. “We have published the legal notice and mailed out the postcard to property owners within 185 feet of the parcel boundary,” staff said, and recommended approval with the two conditions described to commissioners.

Applicant Rebecca Anerstahl, who identified herself for the record as the owner of Noah’s Ark in the Park, described an operating plan based on scheduled visits. “We are a private park. We're not just opening our doors to anyone that wants to come in,” she said. “We will be requesting that people sign up online and we will accommodate a certain amount of people based on how many people I have working with me at that time. It will be a scheduled event.”

Anerstahl told commissioners the site is fenced with aluminum fencing and at least one gate; she said the park will not operate in winter. “No, sir,” she said in response to a question about winter hours when asked whether the park would be open year-round.

Commissioners asked about staffing, ticketing, parking and building permits. Staff and the applicant said ticketed, scheduled visits are intended to let the operator know who will be present at set times, and Anerstahl said she plans to be present for sessions and will hire additional staff as needed. On parking, the applicant said the site has about 25 marked spaces plus overflow areas. Planning staff told the commission a separate building-permit process will be required for large play structures and that submitted plans must meet building-code standards; staff also reminded commissioners that some attractions can trigger review by the Missouri State Fire Marshal depending on the structure type.

There were no public comments on the item. After the discussion the commission made and seconded a motion to approve the special use permit; a roll-call vote produced 10 yeas and 0 nays. The commission’s approval allows the applicant to proceed to necessary building- and safety-permit reviews, subject to the permit’s conditions and the 07/01/2026 nullification date in the staff recommendation.

If the applicant proceeds, the next steps are completion of required building-permit reviews and inspections and compliance with any state-level safety reviews for attractions prior to opening.