Your opportunity to shape Cape's park system

Now is the time to make your voice heard. As improvements are in the planning stages for the city's parks and recreational spaces, residents have an opportunity to shape the results.

Meetings have already been underway, as the department is updating its parks and trails master plan, but this is a situation of the more, the merrier. An online survey now provides a platform for more input. That input may include positives and negatives of grounds so far, as well as suggestions for the future. So if you've just been hankering for something in particular -- maybe updated workout equipment at the Osage Centre or less expensive park pavilion rentals -- now is the time to make those suggestions. Public input is important.

You know the old snarky question, "Who asked you?" Well, they have asked you. So you have a chance to answer, and in so doing, you have a chance to affect the future of the community you call home. If you don't have a computer, you can pick up a hard copy of the survey at the parks and recreation department offices, either at the A.C. Brase Arena at 410 Kiwanis Drive or the Osage Centre at 1625 N. Kingshighway.

Park and Recreation Day

While contemplating the proposed changes, which will be finalized in a new Master Plan before 2018, the parks and recreation department continues to provide an abundance community activities. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, you are invited to the Osage Centre for Parks and Recreation Day. It's free, it's fun and it's packed with food, prizes, crafts and more. For more information, contact Cassie Essner at 573-339-6340 or cessner@cityofcapegirardeau.org.