City manager reports final Crow Park meeting, skatepark funding gap and 40 oaks planted

During the city manager's report, an official described the next steps in the Crow Park planning process and highlighted recent urban-forestry work.

The city manager said the third of three public engagement sessions for Crow Park is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 18 at City Hall; staff anticipate presenting a final plan to council in November. The manager added that although a $400,000 allocation in the 2019 CIP had been set aside for a skateboard and bike park, current estimates show the combined project will cost more than that amount; the parks department applied for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to help bridge the gap but the grant was denied. The manager said staff will present alternative approaches to council in coming weeks.

The manager also reported that volunteers — including staff from SPIRE and the Missouri Department of Conservation — planted 40 oak trees largely along Noise Boulevard to replace ash trees killed by the Emerald Ash Borer. The manager credited Martha Clark, who organized the project and was present in the audience.

What happens next: Staff will return to the council with options and cost estimates for the skateboard/bike park and proceed with public-engagement follow-up for Crow Park.