Park Board Discusses Skate Park

The new skate park was a frequent topic of discussion during a meeting of the Trenton Park Board held Wednesday evening at city hall.

The discussion focused on whether or not the board would allow an event to be held at the skate park, located in Eastside Park, on Saturday, Oct. 21, which is during the Missouri Day Festival. Board President Steve Muff said he had heard that an event, which would include music, might be planned for that day. Mayor Gary Hall said he had discussed the issue with Robert Williams, president of the Friends of Trenton Youth, who indicated he had planned an event, but didn’t think it would disturb the band festival, which takes place at C.F. Russell Stadium. After a lengthy discussion, the board agreed that any music or loud activity at the skate park would interfere with the judging of bands. They agreed that no event will be held there that day and that the park will be closed at 11:30 a.m.
In further discussion concerning the skate park, it was noted that complaints have been received about youngsters smoking, using foul language, treating younger skaters badly and blocking the walking trail. Board members said they feel that those using the park need to follow park rules and the law and told Hall they would like the police department to enforce any statute that applies to underage smoking. Later in the meeting, the board decided to fence the entire skate park with a six-foot fence and a gate that can be locked. The board said the park would only be closed when there was an event going on that would be disturbed by the park or if the vandalism or behavior at the park warranted closure. Shuler was already planning to fence three sides of the park and said the additional cost would not be great. The entire project would probably cost less than $1,000, Shuler said.
Board members discussed the proposed trading of C.F. Russell Stadium (which is owned by the city and maintained by the Trenton R-9 School District) and Griffin Field (which is on land owned by the R-9 District and is maintained by the park department). The Trenton City Council has asked for an appraisal of the two properties, which the park board members indicated they think is a waste of money since no funds would actually change hands for the trade. Muff told the board that the THS Foundation Trust would likely be willing to help with a fund-raising effort to make improvements to the stadium if the land was owned by the school district. Muff said the R-9 Board is planning to meet at the stadium at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10 prior to the regular school board meeting. He encouraged any park board members to attend the meeting to discuss the issue.
Board members visited with David Burkeybile, who holds youth dances at the Rock Barn, to discuss complaints received about emergency contact forms he had those attending fill out at the September dance. Burkeybile and others with him who chaperone the dances explained that they feel it is important to have an emergency contact number at which to reach a parent or guardian in the event a youth becomes ill or injured. He said the only information sought was the name and emergency contact number. Board members agreed that it is fine to request such information and some discussion was held on distributing permission slips for the dances that would indicate the mode of transportation for a child to get home. This would help alleviate the problem of a youth leaving the dance on foot when they are not supposed to do so. Burkeybile indicated that those attending the dance are not allowed to go in and out of the building. Board members expressed their support of the dances and said they feel Burkeybile is doing a good job.
In his report, Shuler said the street department added a corner to the walking trail at the southeast corner of Burleigh Grimes ballfield. This was done to keep traffic and pedestrians separated and curb stops will be added to the area to further ensure separation. Shuler reported on ceilings and new electrical wiring being added to the shelterhouses in the park system and said he and other park employees have been assisting in the site construction at the new shooting range by pouring and finishing the concrete sidewalks. Shuler noted that the restrooms at Grimes Field have been temporarily closed due to vandalism, but will be open in time for the Missouri Day Festival, after which time they will be closed for the winter. It was suggested that when a restroom or other facility is closed due to vandalism, a sign is placed there indicating why the facility is closed. Shuler also listed his short-term priorities, which included working on Eastside Park/Tot Town playgrounds, installing barbecue grills at designated shelter houses, adding river rock to playgrounds as it becomes available, fencing around the horseshoe pits and and the skate park (as mentioned earlier), leveling the dirt and seeding at Gladys Grime Park and finishing the sidewalks.
In other business, the board:
• agreed to purchase two basketball goals and poles for the north basketball court at Eastside Park, where a basketball league is in the process of being formed.
• made committee appointments, including the following: Pool Committee – chairman Marti Williams, Beth Gross and Dean Sager; Grounds Committee – chairman Frank Kinney, Lynda Lynch and Mark Morse; and Trees and Memorials – chairman Chuck Lankheit and Rick Hull.
• discussed the idea of matching the funds given by other departments for the replacement of the roof and windows at city hall.
• reviewed a set of by-laws, which will be brought back for revision and ratification at the November meeting.
The board held an executive session to discuss a real estate matter, with no announcement made.
The next regular park board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 1.