Outdoor spaces receive updates, improvements

With the warm weather and sunshine comes an opportunity to enjoy Cape Girardeau's parks and trails in a new way.

Additions and updates are taking place or will begin soon at Capaha Park, Cape LaCroix Trail and other favorite outdoor spaces.

Capaha Park

The Parks and Recreation Department has envisioned many improvements for the city's oldest park, some of which could become a reality by the end of summer. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is reviewing plans for new playground equipment -- Phase 1 of the updates -- and wants to make a decision by the end of the month.

The equipment would be divided on age levels, with one area focused on children younger than 6 and another for children as old as 12. Ideally, the equipment would have natural themes to evoke a backyard feel, said parks and recreation director Julia Thompson. The river and wooded areas around Cape Girardeau are such an important part of the city's personality, it seemed only appropriate to incorporate them into the park's update, she said.

Adam Howell, left, and Mike Evans work on the new addition to the Red House Interpretive Center on Thursday in Cape Girardeau. The addition encloses the back porch. (Fred Lynch)

The playground and a new pavilion will be near the location of the former pool. The cost for the Phase 1 projects is about $400,000 and is funded through the 2008 voter-approved parks and stormwater tax. Additionally, Thompson said it hopes to find funding for a splash pad in the near future that would "complete that whole playground component." Roughly $250,000 would be needed for that project.

Melvin Gateley Vision 2000 Garden

A stormwater relief project led to the relocation of the Melvin Gateley Rose Garden, originally behind city hall. A groundbreaking ceremony for the garden's new site at Murtaugh Park downtown was held March 18, where Gateley announced plans for a fountain, brick pavers and new landscaping with the rose bushes. Weather permitting, the project will be finished this summer.

Money for the garden and its new amenities largely comes from fundraising by Gateley; businesses and individuals can buy and have their names engraved on one of the 4,000 bricks to be laid by contacting the Parks and Recreation Department at 339-6340.

Red House Interpretive Center

While the Melvin Gateley garden comes to life at its front door, the back porch of the Red House is receiving some needed improvements. Efforts are underway to enclose the area, which has seen deterioration over the years from weather. Thompson said that project, paid for with funds raised by the Red House Interpretive Committee, is nearly complete.

Southeast Missouri State University tennis courts

A joint effort between the city and the university has encouraged more public use of tennis courts on North Sprigg Street by adding restrooms. While the courts receive plenty of use during fair weather, Thompson said, the lack of any nearby facilities was an issue. The project has been completed.

Cape LaCroix Trail

The trail often used for walking and biking will receive updates this year. One of the additions is outdoor fitness equipment. The "Fit Zone" includes eight pieces of outdoor exercise equipment, three of which are accessible for people who use wheelchairs. Visitors can walk, bike or drive to the area and do arm curls or leg presses under shade cover for free at the East Rodney trail head. Thompson said the Fit Zone will open in June if the weather cooperates.

Efforts to widen the trail and add lighting will begin soon. Additional benches, water fountains, trash cans and signs also are planned. The new signs will be orange and will complement kiosks that offer information about distance, sights along the trail and directions.

The department has allotted $50,000 a year for trail improvements through the parks and stormwater tax. Isle Casino Cape Girardeau also has funded about $100,000 for trail improvements. But Thompson said "trails are like roads," meaning they require maintenance, which can quickly use up funds. She said the proposed trail improvements make the best use of the funds available.

Cape Splash

The city's water park could boast a new slide as soon as next summer. Designed for groups of older children, the new speed slide will feature a combination of mat racers and drop slides. Thompson said the department is working to finalize a contract for the project, which will be funded by the restaurant tax.

Skate park

The plan is still in its early stages, but Thompson said a new skate park would make a great addition. Cape Girardeau native and skateboard enthusiast Chris Hutson presented his plan before the Cape Girardeau City Council on Monday night, where members expressed enthusiasm about an idea that could become a new draw for the city. The park would feature ramps, street obstacles and other equipment for skateboarders, rollerbladers and BMX bikers. It would be near Arena Park, where it would have high visibility and easy access to the LaCroix Trail. The city has no funds budgeted for the project, and Hutson plans to lead efforts for fundraising.

Cape Jaycee Municipal Golf Course

After a harsh winter, golf courses across the state have been forced to resod their grounds to replace dead Bermuda turf. Brock Davis, parks division manager for the city's parks and recreation department, said the course will feature zoysia grass that can better withstand winter weather. The city is resodding about five acres of fairways and 20 tee boxes for about $44,000. Davis said most of the work will be finished in two to three weeks, but some patchwork may be done throughout the summer.

Additional projects

The city is working with the Missouri Department of Transportation to approve proposals for accelerated tree planting to improve entrances to the city. The Interstate 55/U.S. 61 interchange between Cape Girardeau and Jackson is the first entryway adorned with local and colorful plant life, and Thompson said "Welcome to Cape Girardeau" signs are a possibility.

A long-term plan for the city's community gardens is in the works. It could take a couple of years, but Thompson said gardens at Fountain Street, Red Star and Washington Park could teem with new life after receiving improved amenities such as better irrigation, fencing and equipment storage.

The goal behind each improvement is to continue to provide more and better services for the community. Thompson said she's grateful to the voters who gave initial approval to the parks and stormwater tax, which made many of the park improvements and additions possible.

"I think it's a really great time to be in Cape," she said.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.