St. Charles County parks department outlines project timelines, hires and operations fixes

St. Charles County Parks and Recreation briefed its Park Advisory Board on the status of numerous park projects, staffing changes and day-to-day operations at the board’s Jan. 14 meeting at Quail Ridge Lodge.

Andy Fleck, a department staff member, gave the project update. He said Spring Bend Phase I construction is ongoing and that "they are targeting late Spring for Phase I to be complete." Smaller tables and a shelter are installed; crews are working on the main shelter and restrooms. Fleck said Phase II planning is active and includes designs for a suspension bridge across the ravine and a prairie boardwalk, with bids expected in early spring.

Fleck reported the Smartt Field master plan is nearly finished and awaiting county, state and Federal Aviation Administration approvals. He said the runway will receive an overlay this year as part of resilience work to lift the runway out of a flood plain; he clarified the work is not part of the $2.8 million grant previously discussed, though related resilience funding is being pursued.

Henges Wetland has been approved by the Great River Habitat Alliance, Fleck said, but the county has not yet hired a consultant to design the planned nature center. At the Heritage Museum, which is currently closed to the public, RFQ proposals for an architect are under review with library staff; the facility will be known as the Heritage Center and design bids are expected in early summer.

Other project updates included a final walkthrough at MO Bluffs where trails are nearly complete, completion of Klondike Park’s maintenance shop and plans to replace its playground, and Ogelsby Park moving from demolition into Phase II planning that may include large shelters, maintenance shops and a possible archery range. Fleck said Ogelsby’s acreage is already counted and estimated the park at about 250–260 acres.

At New Melle, crews are correcting an improperly built retaining wall; a new playground should open in late February to early March and a loop road near kayak access is scheduled to open around April 1. The donated Sundust Preserve will include a dog park/training area and an off-leash hiking area with Holt Road parking access as required by the donation agreement.

At Kinetic Park Fleck said the splash pad should be complete in a few weeks; the county council approved a privacy fence between the splash pad and the pickleball courts and a grand opening is being planned for late May to early June pending executive approval. Indian Camp Creek will receive a multi-use loop trail from a new trail company; Blueway/Lonewolf repair plans will be put out for bid; Lindenwood Park entrance and restroom improvements are in design; and Quail Ridge Park’s lake is finished and awaiting water.

The National Equestrian Center is undergoing design and bidding for parking and camping-area improvements; a new digital sign is installed and interviews were held for two event coordinator positions following resignations.

Fleck also listed open and newly created positions the department is hiring for, including a second assistant director, two assistant superintendents of parks, a project manager, a second facility manager at Kinetic Park and a second marketing coordinator. He announced that Dustin Ferrell was promoted to Superintendent of Parks and that the business manager had submitted two weeks’ notice.

Board members raised operational items after the update. Robert Wohler suggested installing slats at Flat River where mud creates slick conditions at low water. Bill Wallace, who plays pickleball at Kinetic Park, said window glare and extreme temperature swings in the courts create playability concerns; he asked whether wheelchairs are available on site after a recent ankle injury to a player — Fleck replied the department uses golf carts to transport people when needed. Will Klein asked whether his men’s group could access parks before or after hours for workouts; the matter was noted for staff follow-up.

Votes at the meeting were procedural: the board approved the Oct. 8 minutes 8–0 and later adjourned by unanimous vote (see "Votes at a glance"). The advisory board did not take formal policy votes on funding or land use at the meeting.