The Cape Girardeau Kiwanis Club now has a park to call its own and plans to donate more than $150,000 initially to improve the grounds.

The city council voted unanimously Monday night to rename Cherokee Park as Kiwanis Park in recognition of the service club's past civic projects and its plans to upgrade the park on the city's north side. City officials said a new wooden sign could be in place at the park within a few weeks.

The park, which has entrances on Perryville Road and Lexington, will get new picnic shelters and playground equipment. Future plans may include a softball field for pick-up games, hiking trails and improving a pond on the property that few park users currently see, Kiwanis Club members said.

Tom Ward, vice president of the Kiwanis Club, said his organization plans to make additional donations to city-approved projects in the park over the next 10 years.

Councilman Hugh White wondered if the council might be setting a bad precedent. "We don't want to get the perception that it goes to the highest bidder," said White.

But Dan Muser, parks and recreation director, said city officials would consider renaming parks on a case-by-case basis.

Muser said city government shouldn't be locked into renaming a park just because a certain dollar donation is reached.

Mayor Jay Knudtson agreed, saying such decisions should be handled on a case-by-case basis. He said the Kiwanis Club is proposing to proceed with the city's development plans for the park that the city couldn't afford to fund.

"Is the city of Cape Girardeau up for sale? No," the mayor said.

Knudtson sat next to the city clerk during the council meeting rather than in his customary seat on the dais because of a knee injury he suffered last Friday in a charity basketball game at the A.C. Brase Arena Building. Knudtson ran the meeting from a wheelchair.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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