City View: Parks and Recreation Department delivers on promise to voters

As the year ends, we take stock of our accomplishments and set goals for the coming year.  The Columbia Parks and Recreation Department released its list of Capital Improvement Project (CIP) accomplishments for 2008.

Park CIP projects are funded through voter-approved park sales taxes.  In November 2000, the voters approved a one fourth cent sales tax.  The ballot issue stipulated that at the end of the five years, the tax would reduce to a one eighth cent tax without sunset for park operations and park capital projects, with remaining one eighth cent park sales tax subject to public vote for renewal.

The renewable tax was last approved in 2005 and is projected to generate about $12 million over five years.  By law, these funds can only be used for parks capital projects.  The Parks and Recreation department has made it a priority to see these ballot projects completed or underway before the tax expires in 2011.

I believe during difficult economic times, park facilities become an even more important recreation resource for families feeling the dollar crunch.  There is little to no charge for most of our park facilities.  It is Parks and Recreation’s long-stated goal to have a neighborhood park within a half mile of residential neighborhoods.  This allows people to walk from their homes to parks that provide a variety of recreation options.

This past year, Columbia citizens were able to take advantage of several additions to the city’s park system, including two new neighborhood parks, Longview and Louisville, which were developed on existing city property.  We also have new tennis courts, restrooms at various trail access points and water spraygrounds at Stephens Lake Park and Flat Branch Park.

A citizen survey conducted in 2007 showed a high level of satisfaction with the maintenance of city parks and facilities. To continue meeting these high standards, some older park facilities were replaced over the last year. These include the 25-plus-year-old restroom at Kiwanis Park, two 30-plus-year-old restrooms in Cosmo Park and the sagging wooden shelter at Grindstone Nature Area. A “facelift” at Cosmo-Bethel Park included the demolition and reconstruction of the bathroom and a new large shelter replacing the three old wooden shelters.

There are more promises to keep in 2009.  On Jan. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the ARC, Columbia Parks and Recreation will gather public input on the master plan for the new south regional park.  Located adjacent to and north of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, the 460-acre Gans Creek Recreation Area and A. Perry Philips Park will be developed in phases over several years. Phase 1, which will provide fishing access to the lake, will begin by spring 2009.  Funding for the first phase will come from the 2005 park sales tax and a grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The Department of Conservation is providing additional support through a proposed 99 year land lease exchange that would allow city use of more than 100 acres in the H.J. Waters and C.B. Moss Memorial Wildlife Area, which is located off Old Highway 63 adjacent to Grindstone Nature Area.  The city will protect this extensive wilderness area, but use a small existing facility as a parks management satellite operation.  Our only park operations center is currently located near Cosmo Park.  As Columbia continues to grow, a southern location for park maintenance crews would improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

In return, the Missouri Department of Conservation will invest several million dollars in a new regional conservation center to be located on 17 acres in the city’s Gans Creek Recreation Area.  This is a win-win partnership for our economy and our quality of life.  The Conservation Department’s environmentally-friendly facility will provide new office and laboratory space for DOC staff working in administration, education and research.  Public use of the facility may include education and demonstrations regarding the conservation of soil, water and natural resources in the urban setting.

The coming year will present opportunities and challenges for our parks system.  Every expenditure must be firmly grounded in the promises made to voters more than three years ago. Thanks to your support, Columbia will continue to provide high-quality recreational opportunities to all.

Note: The Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Project Accomplishments, draft plans for the south regional park and other information is posted on the city’s Web site, www.GoColumbiaMO.com.

Bill Watkins ins Columbia’s city manager.