Aquatic study, Bark Park projects in early stages

By Geoffrey Woehlk | October 20, 2023 |

SUBMITTED RENDERING
A concept rendering of a dog park set to be built in an existing portion of Sunrise Park across from the New Nodaway Humane Society.

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Maryville Parks and Recreation is continuing to lay the groundwork for two eagerly awaited projects: a dog park and solutions for the aging aquatic center.

During the regular MPR board meeting on Monday, Director Jeff Stubblefield told the board that representatives from Water’s Edge Aquatic Design, the Kansas City-based firm that will perform an aquatic feasibility study, will be in town on Oct. 23 to start the process.

Water’s Edge will study the state of the current Maryville Aquatic Center and then outline options for remodeling the existing pool and constructing a new one, including the possibility of an indoor-outdoor facility.

The process will include public input meetings that will be used in the study to get an idea of the public’s priorities and interests.

Additionally, Stubblefield said MPR is continuing to work on the engineering and design for the Sunrise Bark Park dog park, which will be built on part of the existing Sunrise Park.

Stubblefield estimated the engineering and design process will take six to eight months before being put out for construction bids.

Other projects MPR is in the process of tackling:

Infield renovations at Donaldson Westside Park and Beal Park.
Replacing two bridges at Judah Park. The process is particularly complicated because of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the United States, which puts the stream that runs through Judah Park under its jurisdiction. Consequently, any maintenance work or bridge replacements must be coordinated with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Repairing, recoating and repainting parking lots at Judah Park, Robertson-Crist Park, Sisson-Eek Park, Sunrise Park, Wabash Park, Donaldson Westside Park and the Maryville Community Center.
Installing LED lighting within the community center at the ballfields.
Multiple fallen trees in multiple parks that can’t be removed by MPR staff.

Other Parks and Recreation news

MPR has partnered with North Star Advocacy Center on a utensil drive for the center during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. New or gently used utensils can be dropped off in the front lobby of the community center during the month of October.
KNIM/KVVL radio are partnering with MPR for a free Trunk-or-Treat event in the Donaldson Westside parking lot on Oct. 29 from 1-3 p.m. Anyone interested should register with MPR.
Basketball clinic registration is open until Oct. 27. The men’s and women’s club basketball teams at Northwest Missouri State University are the clinicians this year. Clinics will be held on Sundays in November at the community center.
MPR’s Christmas Craft Fair is set for Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All vendor spots are full with several on a waiting list.