The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Metro

Related Photos

Related Links

Discussion

October 21, 2009

<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif" border=0> City to solicit views on plans for parks <font color="#ff0000">w/ Joplin parks survey </font>

By Debby Woodin

dwoodin@joplinglobe.com

Ideas and suggestions for future park and recreation amenities in Joplin will be sought at a public meeting Monday.

The city is seeking views from residents for a number of reasons.

Planning will soon begin for the second phase of development of the 100-acre athletic complex at 3301 W. First St. The complex contains tennis courts, soccer fields and a baseball stadium, and there is a plan by the city to soon have a four-field softball complex.

Officials also are seeking comments from residents in preparation for a decision on asking voters to renew a quarter-cent sales tax for parks and stormwater projects. The tax will expire in 2012. It has financed about $10 million worth of park projects since it was imposed in 2002.

The survey seeks information on what park aspects residents currently use and what they would be interested in having in the future.

Copies of the survey were distributed in the city’s Citizen newsletter earlier this month. The survey also is available on the city’s Web site at www.joplinmo.org and at city locations including the athletic complex.

Patrick Tuttle, director of the Joplin Sports Authority, said he will be interested in what residents have to say at Monday’s meeting. “I’m going to attend just to listen in because that also helps us know what to offer,” Tuttle said in reference to the sports authority.

Indoor center

An indoor recreation center will be on Jodi Hilbert’s wish list. She operates Playmakers, an indoor batting cage and coaching business at 412 S. Cox Ave.

Hilbert attended a youth sports summit held Sept. 29 by the parks department in which coordination of youth sports surfaced as one idea for improving offerings to children.

“Although it seems that baseball and softball somewhat monopolized that meeting, there were people there representing swimming as well as basketball and volleyball that said there is a need for an indoor facility for swim meets as well as volleyball and basketball games,” Hilbert said. Building the softball fields at the sports complex also is “a step in the right direction,” she said.

Joe Becker

An indoor aquatic center was mentioned by several participants, including Tuttle, at a city “envisioning” meeting in August. Tuttle also suggested upgrading the historic Joe Becker Stadium as a future project.

“Anything we can do to keep the youth in this city involved is going to do nothing but improve the condition of our community and the graduation rate,” Hilbert said.

The Joplin School District has made reducing the dropout rate a priority.

Doug Joyce, parks and recreation director, said at the youth sports summit that there is a correlation between youth participation in athletic and recreation programs, and completion of high school.

Civic center

Cynthia Schwab, founder of the music series Pro Musica, said there could be some room for discussion of some type of civic center that would accommodate many activities.

Proposals for an arts or performing arts venue were made at the envisioning meeting that will be used next spring to establish a list of projects to pursue.

“I know there’s been talk about some sort of facility with a couple of auditoriums,” Schwab said. “Room for arts and artists is definitely needed, and would be an attraction.

“There’s certainly been more comment and more movement toward recognizing the arts are good for their own sake, but they also are a factor in economic development. There are marvelous learning experiences in the arts for children because it widens horizons. It gives them an area where their imaginations may work in which there is no right or wrong. The health and vitality of the arts is a sign of the health and vitality of the whole community itself.”

Sharon Beshore, who is serving on a committee of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce involving promotion of the arts, said she does not plan to present a suggestion at Monday’s meeting. “The arts are not related to this funding,” she said.



Time and place

The parks meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the Joplin Athletic Complex, 3301 W. First St.

Text Only
Joplin Metro
  • Ruby-Sapp-obit.jpg Longtime Democrat dies at 81

    Sapp, 81, died Thursday. Funeral services were Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin. A longtime Jasper County Democratic committeewoman and volunteer, Sapp for years was secretary to the county’s central committee.

    August 9, 2010 1 Photo

  • Motivational speaker offers free marriage course

    Presented by Mark Gungor, the course is being offered free to the community. The event is being held to aid in tornado relief. 

    January 12, 2012

  • District sends faculty, administrators on site visits

    With the design phase of several buildings in Joplin Schools ending in May, the district has sent 66 administration, faculty, parents and community members on site visits to 22 schools and two technology company headquarters across the country.

    January 11, 2012

  • 011012 Jop HS mural1_72.jpg Mural depicting Joplin High School dedicated

    A four-paneled mural depicting the recent history of Joplin High School was dedicated at the Memorial 9th- and 10th-grade Center Tuesday morning. The mural will be moved to the new high school when it is completed in 2014.

    January 10, 2012 4 Photos

  • Carl Junction chamber creating new committees

    The Carl Junction Chamber of Commerce is kicking off three new committees this week with meetings scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.

    January 9, 2012

  • Body of missing Joplin man found

    The body of a missing Joplin man was discovered this afternoon inside his home in the Royal Heights neighborhood of Joplin.

    January 3, 2012

  • Wildcat Glades nature center receives $50,000 grant

    The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center has received a $50,000 TogetherGreen Innovation Grant, which is being provided through an alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota.

    October 21, 2011

  • Joplin shooting victim’s name released

    The Joplin Police Department today released the name of a woman fatally shot in her home early Thursday and acknowledged that the shooting was reported as a suicide attempt.

    October 21, 2011

  • Barry Manilow to deliver donated instruments

    Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow will visit Joplin next week to donate more than $300,000 in musical instruments to replace those lost during the May 22 tornado.

    October 21, 2011

  • Extreme Makeover releases names of families

    "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" has released more details about the build in the 2400 block of Connor Avenue, including the names of the seven families. They are:

    October 19, 2011