A request to close a portion of the circle drive through Moberly Park during ball games was discussed during a Wednesday meeting of the Trenton Park Board, as were a request to purchase fitness stations to be placed along the walking trail and a request to use the portable bleachers during an event at the North Missouri Saddle Club.
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Lisa Schilling met with the board to request that a portion of the circle drive through Moberly Park be closed during ball games at upper Moberly Field. Mrs. Schilling said that children are often warming up on the grassy area near the roadway and motorists sometimes seem oblivious to children who might dart in front of them. She noted that the two parking lots that service upper and lower Moberly ball fields are accessible without going through the circle drive. She asked that the board include in its budget a swinging gate such as was placed at the Rock Barn. She suggested that, for this year, the board use cones or some other means to close the road during the games. Board members discussed the issue and agreed that putting cones across the roadway past the lower parking lot entrance should solve the problem and that a gate may not be needed. In considering who will put the cones up and when that would happen, board members suggested that the cones would be stored in the concession stand at lower Moberly Field and the concession worker will put them up when they open the stand and take them down when the stand closes.
Mrs. Schilling also asked the board to place in its master plan fitness stations that could be placed along the walking trail or clustered in various sites around the walking trail/Eastside Park area. She said one vendor listed 12 steel stations at a cost of $7,293, while a 20-station set would cost $11,549. Those prices do not include installation. Board President Marti Williams turned the matter over to the Grounds Committee to obtain more information.
Board members approved a request from Cheryl Leffler, representing the Green Hills Women’s Shelter, to use the portable bleachers at a shelter benefit to be held Saturday, May 31 at the North Missouri Saddle Club. Park Superintendent Jason Shuler said the bleachers are not used at ball games anymore and it would not be a problem for them to be used at the event. Mrs. Leffler said her organization will move the bleachers, which are on skids.
Shuler reported on trees that were damaged by lightning at Moberly Park and their removal and said the old fencing, foul poles and bullpens have been removed from Burleigh Grimes Field, with new fencing received. He said he has kill-sprayed all of the grass on the field so the contractor doing the renovation can till and grade the entire field. He also noted that restrooms will be open soon at upper Moberly Field and that portable restrooms would be placed at Van Meter Park today. Shuler said the section of fence that will be placed in a gap between the zero-entry pool and the diving well at the aquatic center has been received and will be installed prior to the pool opening on Memorial Day weekend. He reported that Rob Jones has been hired temporarily to paint the pool and work is well under way.
Board members discussed the Trenton Sesquicentennial Park near Five Points. Shuler said his department is preparing to form and pour the concrete pad for a gazebo and noted that there is room for eight benches in the park, with five already spoken for by various groups and organizations. On the recommendation of board member Chuck Lankheit, the board voted unanimously to purchase one of the benches in honor of Dr. Nick and Cheri McHargue in recognition of their support of the park system over the past several years.
New board member Kristi Herron was at the meeting, replacing Lynda Lynch, who recently resigned. Board member Mark Morse, who had verbally resigned at a special meeting held April 23, apologized to the board and media and said he had rescinded his resignation, noting that he can do more good on the board than by resigning.
Mrs. Williams, Lankheit and Beth Gross all indicated that it would be their last meeting and said they had enjoyed their time on the board and were proud of the park system in Trenton. Lankheit pointed out the improvements made over the past 10 years and how supportive the community has been. They all wished luck to those who will replace them on the board.
“I hope the people coming up will get the vision you guys have had and I have had. I think we have a wonderful park system that adds to Trenton,” Mrs. Williams said. She noted that serving on the board has been a good experience and one that she would encourage others to try.
“It’s been more fun than it has been work,” she said.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 4.