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Kearney Park Board approves agenda, reviews events, maintenance and Hall Park update
Summary
At its Sept. 16 meeting the Kearney Park Board approved the agenda and prior minutes, heard staff reports on event attendance and tree maintenance, learned that Vireo revised Hall Park plans after MoDOT feedback, and set the next meeting for Oct. 21, 2025.
Connie Crawford, chairperson of the Kearney Park Board, called the Sept. 16, 2025 meeting to order and the board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from May 20, 2025.
Parks staff member Ryan Marcotte reported that tree maintenance will be the maintenance team's primary focus in the coming months and that seasonal employees have returned to school, leaving Ray and Jeff as the continuing on-site crew. "Tree maintenance would be the focus of the maintenance staff in the coming months," Marcotte said.
Marcotte provided attendance figures and post-event notes for recent programs. He said two of four "Food & Flick Fridays" movies drew about 250 people each, two drew roughly 50–100 attendees, and the final screening had low turnout because it coincided with a Kansas City Chiefs game. He also reported that Cosentino's Price Chopper has committed to sponsor the 2026 movie season. On the youth side, Marcotte said the Kids Fall Fest attracted about 500 people and that community partners were satisfied and plan to repeat the event next year.
On capital projects, Marcotte told the board that Vireo revised the Hall Park plans after feedback from the Missouri Department of Transportation and that the state returned the plans for final approval. Vireo is preparing updated cost projections, which Marcotte said staff hope to have by the next board meeting.
Marcotte summarized outcomes from the Board of Aldermen's second priority-setting session, saying aldermen asked staff to maintain basic services while advancing major projects including the Mack Porter Park connector trail and Lions Park; aldermen also directed staff to plan for future funding for trail revitalization and upkeep.
He also reminded the board of upcoming community events: the Jesse James Festival on Sept. 20 and Oktoberfest on Oct. 4, and encouraged board support. On recreation programs, Marcotte said fall youth sports have about 350 children participating (a small decline from prior enrollment) and that fall adult pickleball leagues have more than 300 sign-ups, an increase from previous years.
Procedural motions at the meeting included Lisa Cheeseborough's motion to approve the agenda (seconded by Kristi Mayo) and Nick DiBenedetto's motion to approve the May 20, 2025 minutes (seconded by Lisa Cheeseborough); both motions passed unanimously. Ashton King moved to adjourn the meeting to Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.; Lisa Cheeseborough seconded and the motion carried.
The board recorded members Kristi Mayo, Lisa Cheeseborough, Nick DiBenedetto, Connie Crawford, Ashton King and Jon Costa as present; Geoff Hutton, Ali Jorn and Jennifer Rose were absent, and staff member Ryan Marcotte was present. The meeting record notes that Eric was attending the NRPA conference.
The board expects updated Hall Park cost projections at its next meeting and will continue work on prioritized projects identified by the Board of Aldermen.
