Parks plan: Peculiar approves first phase of City Lake Park cleanup using Dorflinger gift

The Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a parks resolution on Oct. 20 to begin using a gift from the Mary Dorflinger estate to improve City Lake Park.

Parks presenter Jason Long outlined a four‑phase project: phase 1 would clean the lake shoreline, remove cattails and apply herbicidal treatment and targeted dredging; phase 2 would restore 10 camping pads with picnic tables and ADA‑compliant fire rings; phase 3 would add a permanent restroom and an inclusive play area; and phase 4 would create a walking trail around the lake with selective bridges.

Long said the city received about $201,000 from the Dorflinger estate in March 2024 and that interest and investments have grown the fund to an estimated $210,000. He told the board one vendor quoted what was presented in the packet as $92.50 for the initial cattail/herbicidal treatment and $9,500 per silt bag for dredging; staff said those figures came from the bids they reviewed and that the lake cleanup work could be staged before winter. Long also outlined play‑area options and estimated site prep costs; staff said grant matches may reduce the city’s net cost.

The board approved using the estate gift to begin lake cleanup (phase 1) and authorized staff to pursue grants and subsequent phases as funding allows. Parks staff said the cleanup could unlock partnership support from the Missouri Department of Conservation for fish habitat maintenance after the vegetation is addressed.

Next steps: staff will begin contracting for the lake cleanup work, pursue matching grants and report back at future meetings.