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Parks advisory leaders describe planned five-field youth complex and seek volunteers
Summary
On Cape Chronicle, Doug Gannon, director of Parks and Recreation, and Percy Houston, chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, described the board’s role, previewed a planned five-field youth baseball and softball complex adjacent to Shawnee Park Sports Complex, and encouraged volunteers and community involvement.
Mike Renick interviewed Doug Gannon, director of Parks and Recreation, and Percy Houston, chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, about the board’s work and a large youth-sports project planned in Cape Girardeau.
The advisory board is an 11-member group that meets monthly to provide feedback on parks projects and programming, Gannon said. "We meet once a month, and they provide us valuable feedback and input on projects that we're doing," he said. Houston said he is serving a second stint on the board after previously serving about nine-and-a-half years and noted that board members are subject to term limits.
Gannon said the board has been closely involved in planning a new youth baseball and softball complex adjacent to the existing Shawnee Park Sports Complex. "It's gonna be a five-field youth sports complex with 250-foot fences and field turf," he said, adding that the facility will be sited right next to the existing Shawnee Park Sports Complex.
Officials described the local and regional economic impact they expect from expanded sports programming. "That along with this new project ... are economic drivers," Houston said. Gannon added that the department already has about "30 tournaments scheduled next spring and summer," and he expects heavy weekend use.
Board members also play a role in community fundraising and outreach: Houston pointed to events such as Spaghetti Day as examples of how volunteers and board members support projects and programming. Gannon said board members and other volunteers can act as ambassadors to help raise awareness and support for tax initiatives and fundraising connected to parks projects.
To get involved, Gannon said residents can call the parks office at 339-6340, visit the department's website or contact the Parks and Recreation Facebook page; the on-air email address appeared garbled and was not clear on the recording. He said staff will follow up with anyone who inquires.
Houston and Gannon emphasized that advisory-board meetings are open to the public and can be informative for residents interested in learning more or volunteering. The interview concluded with Renick thanking both guests for a brief but informative conversation about the board and upcoming projects.
