Deferred Park Maintenance

Proposed Projects Include: 

• Fund an Annual Trail Repair Program
• Repairs at Hidden Valley Sports Complex
• Shelter replacement at Pink Hill Park
• Replacing the smaller playground at Rotary Park
• Repairing the tennis courts at Baumgardner Park

View a complete project work list with cost estimates, click here.

Community Center

The proposed initiative will fund the construction and operation of a Community Center.  The proposed Community Center amenities include:

• Indoor Aquatics Center with a leisure pool, lap pool, therapy pool, lazy river, water slides and water spray play structure
• Indoor basketball/volleyball courts and a walking/running track
• Meeting, event, class and community rooms
• Indoor stage/performing arts space
• Children's indoor playground
• Teen center

Future Park Land Development and Program Expansion

The proposed expansions include: 

• Complete the Gregory O. Grounds Park trail loop
• Develop existing park land
• Expand senior programming
• Support performing and visual arts
• Develop a scholarship fund for parks programming and community center membership  

To see a map of the undeveloped parks in Blue Springs, click here.

Initiative Oversight

Revenues from the proposed parks sales tax are only to be used for parks purposes. The tax cannot be used for other General Fund programs or services. This proposed funding would not replace current General Fund allocations for parks.

The Parks Commission, made up of Blue Springs citizens, will be charged with oversight of the tax. If approved, the Parks Commission will make regularly scheduled reports to the City Council on spending of funds collected by the tax and report on performance goals. These reports would be posted to the City's Web site for review.

For more information about the initiative, click here.

I am competing Jackson County's Pumpkin Playoffs to benefit the Community Services League of Blue Springs! 

Team Blue Springs' pumpkins were carved by Rose Anne Reule and Pete Ramirez (pictured above.)  Their decorated/carved pumpkins will be on display at the Jackson County Historic Truman Courthouse on Independence Square starting Tuesday, October 22. 

Voting to select the public's favorite pumpkin will begin that Tuesday at noon and conclude four days later at noon on Saturday, October 26. The ballot box is located in the first-floor lobby of the Jackson County Historic Truman Courthouse.

I hope you will take the time and vote for Team Blue Springs' pumpkins!  For more information about the contest, click here.

America's Community Bank Restoration Project

On Tuesday, October 15, I along with America's Community Bank President Wes Condron kicked off the America's Community Bank restoration project with an Aluminum Fa�ade Removal Celebration!

We had a good sized group gathered to watch us pull the first piece of aluminum fa�ade off the exterior revealing the original brick beneath. The crowd joined in as we held a balloon release to celebrate the beginning of this historic project.   

The America's Community Bank building was originally constructed around 1890 and the current aluminum fa�ade was installed over the original brick exterior in the late 1960's.

The America's Community Bank building restoration and renovation project was partially funded through the City's Downtown Fa�ade Renovation Program.  This program provides financial resources to improve the aesthetic character of the City's downtown buildings in conjunction with Downtown Alive's mission to revitalize the downtown district.

Check out our Facebook page for more photos by clicking here!

Downtown Alive! Banners

New Downtown Alive! banners were installed along Main Street.  These banners really pop and I invite you to check them out if you attend the Trick or Treat Main Street event this weekend!

To see more photos, visit the Downtown Alive! Facebook page by clicking here.