Cape Rock Park could be a stunning city asset

With all the big plans for building and improvement money being spent from government grants along the riverfront, I have not seen any mention of one of our oldest and most historic natural places mentioned. I am talking about Cape Rock Park, which was the point of Cape Girardeau's original trading post. It is from this place that Cape Girardeau became a small town.

The city has owned this parkland for generations, and so far no one has had the foresight to make the most of it. It is just sitting there growing up in brambles and thickets so the people wanting to view the river to the south, the bridge, the city riverfront and bird watchers crowd up trying to park around a rather small circle overlooking the Mississippi River.

If the south side of the park were cleared out, a person could see downtown with our beautiful new bridge and the new improvements planned about the downtown riverfront. On pretty weekends, cars sit double waiting on a person to move his car out so they can get in to park around the circle.

There are 14.8 acres of undeveloped park with a view that cannot be compared to any other in our area high on the hill. How many local citizens even know this is a city park? We have none other along the river of any size except Trail of Tears State Park, which is a good ways out in the county and has no view.

Cape Rock Park could be cleared of the underbrush with a drive circling around and concrete picnic tables. Our beautiful county parks are booked sometimes a year in advance during the warm season, so we certainly could use another place.

With the economy and the cost of gasoline, we know a lot of families are looking for a place near home to get away for a short time with a family picnic.

Cape Rock Park is a beautiful hidden asset that, with some clearing out, could be similar to Dennis Scivally Park with an insurmountable view of the river. Should we contact the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to see why this park has not been developed? Maybe some of the local clubs and groups would like to donate a concrete picnic table or bench overlooking the Mississippi.

A few years ago a couple of our local men drew up plans for developing the park. What ever came of those plans? I would like for the farsighted people who are running our city to please take a look at this project.

Catherine Allison is a Cape Girardeau resident.