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Residents urge council to rebuild Morris Park bridge; cite recreation and race impacts
Summary
Multiple residents, including leaders of regional running groups, urged the Neosho City Council to rebuild the Morris Park bridge, citing loss of shade, impacts on certified race courses and local fundraising, and concerns about the proposed $670,000 design and bid language.
Several residents appealed to the council to prioritize reconstruction of the Morris Park bridge, saying the missing crossing has diminished a shaded, natural section of trail and harmed community events.
Rhonda Warren told the council, “we are here to tell you that, yes, we want the bridge rebuilt,” and called a $670,000 metal bridge “overkill,” urging a faster, less expensive fix. Henry Cohen, who identified himself as president/CEO of the Joplin Roadrunners, said the bridge supports certified 5K courses that bring out‑of‑town runners and fundraisers for organizations such as Crowder College; he warned that losing the bridge could force races to disappear or shrink. Other speakers including Kevin Linehan raised concerns about inconsistent cost estimates the city posted, and Susie, representing a Neosho Roadrunners subchapter, asked that bid specifications explicitly protect trees and shade and requested course recertification assistance if the bridge is not rebuilt. Christina Jaramillo closed the public comments with an appeal: “Build the bridge, please.”
Mayor Wertman said public remarks would be turned over to the parks director and the city manager for follow‑up and that staff will explore alternatives and timing; the council did not make a formal decision at the meeting. No funding commitment or construction timetable was adopted tonight.
