The Cape Girardeau-Jackson area has many parks. They are inviting at all seasons of the year, but when frost turns the leaves to vivid shades of red and gold, park outings and cookouts are especially appealing.

The Alvin F. Klaus Park on Highway 61 between Cape Girardeau and Jackson has an interesting history few persons are familiar with. It is a small rustic park that was dedicated with its improvements on Thursday, Nov. 13, 1969, and the next day, Nov. 14, the world watched with wonder as the second moon shot blasted into space.

Klaus Park is on the Lampe Road immediately south of Highway 61, off of Interstate 55. It is reached by following the Outer Road south a short distance and turning east at the point where Lampe Road, Stout and Outer roads intersect.

The park was formed from a 20-acre tract that was severed from the old county poor farm when Highway 61 East was put through a number of years ago. The land was then of no further use to the farm and the farm was closed. The special school took occupancy of the buildings, but the tract was of no use to the school. The land would have been sold to a developer but for an interested group of individuals who thought it should become a small park. They contended the new road uniting the two cities should be kept attractive, not clogged with buildings.

Today as residents travel back and forth between the two cities, we owe a great "thank you" to these far sighted individuals.

The self-appointed group of men, approximately 15 in number, were outdoor enthusiasts as well as ardent boosters of Cape Girardeau County.

They soon discovered there were no available funds to develop a park so the committee, headed by Charles Boutin, went to Jefferson City for assistance.

After considerable effort, a bill was introduced, called the "County Park Bill." It authorized 5 percent from the general revenue for park purposes. A total of $5,000 a year was allotted for the park from $22,000 in revenue.

The same group of men spearheaded the 3,300-acre Trail of Tears Park, which is now a state park.

After authority was granted to turn the 20 acres of county farm into a park, it was named for Judge Alvin F. Klaus who died in office Aug. 12, 1966. Dedication of the park took place in October 1966 at 2:30 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. The Rev. Walter Keisker, then pastor of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, was the speaker. Others in attendance who served with Judge Klaus were Rusby Crites, county clerk; A.C. Magill; Mrs. Alvin Klaus; Presiding Judge Clarence W. Suedekum; and Judge Arnold Roth.

Other county officials and friends were also present when a large gray stone limestone boulder, holding a bronze plaque, was uncovered. The marker is abut 100 yards south of the park entrance, and was a gift from the late Al Zimmer of the Federal Materials Co., who was among the 15 men who helped save the land and develop the park.

Judge Klaus served Cape Girardeau County as an elected official from June 1947, when he was chosen to fill an unexpired term, to the day of his death, Aug. 12, 1966.

He was born near Friedheim on Dec. 25, 1900, and moved to Jackson in 1944. He was a deputy sheriff under the late Herman Sewing, who died in an automobile accident in May 1947.

Following his June appointment in 1947, Judge Klaus was elected to a full term in November 1948, and later succeeded himself as sheriff in 1952.

In 1958, he was elected to the office of county court judge from the northern district and served three full, three-year terms. He died in office while serving his fourth term.

When the park was formally dedicated, Boy Scout Troop No. 11 of Jackson assisted in the service, presenting the colors, and Tom Cosgrove sang.

In October 1966, the Cape Girardeau Jaycees erected two picnic shelters with concrete floors and installed three barbecue grills for the public's use, spending $1,400. The park board put in benches, tables and trash containers.

Cletis Hanebrink and James L. Morrow were co-chairmen of the Jaycees project. Present at the final dedication of the picnic facilities on Thursday morning, Nov. 13, 1969, at 11:30 were: Harold D. Kuehle, president of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and county collector; Herbert F. Brune; J. Ronald Fischer; County Clerk Rusby Crites; County Auditor H. Weldon Macke; and members of the park board.

The sky became overcast and the weather began to change. Wind and clouds turned the bright day gray, and the autumn colored leaves began to fall because of the increasing wind. The men expressed a wish that fall would be delayed so area residents would be able to use the picnic facilities before cold weather began. Since 1966, the park has been very popular and preceded the large county park developed across the road.