Last weekend I attended the 26th annual Barbeque Blaze-Off in Hidden Valley Park. I ran into many of our local residents while walking around licking the sauce off my fingers.
I had one resident, a person quite involved in the community, tell me “I have been by the entrance to the park many times, but never realized the total size of the park or the great facilities within the park that I could not see from Valley View Drive.” This caused me to start thinking about how many times I have heard similar comments.
I have had so many people tell me “I didn’t know we had a BMX track in Blue Springs,” even though it has existed for some 26 years. Others have said, “I knew the BMX existed but it is for motor sports or motor cycles,” not for the 20-inch pedal bikes that it is actually for.
We have several neighborhood parks that are hidden jewels, and the residents that live near those parks, like the fact they are hidden. Ward Park is one such park, with a great stand of old mature oak trees, a small stream running through the entire length of the park and a mile-long walking trail. It has a nice playground, tennis court, basketball court, and a shelter. What a peaceful and beautiful place to spend some time.
Another great little park is Woods Chapel Park, a 10-acre site with a nice pond to walk around or fish in. There is also a great walking trail, playground, and basketball court. Again, quiet, peaceful, but yet with the potential for fun, exercise, and sharing experiences.
Some features that may not be very visible in our system are the skateboard park in Walker School Park, the dog park and the new fishing dock in Gregory O. Grounds Park, all of which are very popular with those who know they are there.
In the coming months we will complete construction on a few new facilities that will, in the future, become very popular. The new trail through Grounds Park and around Lake Remembrance is not yet completed but is already being well used. The trail connections into Blue Springs Lake Park from Quarry Road and Opossum Hollow Road will restore the access to this popular trail, operated by Jackson County.
Later this fall we will complete construction of our disc-golf course, a project that is 20 years in the making. This 18-hole technically difficult course, designed for beginners through experienced players, is located in Wilbur Young Park. What a great outdoor, healthy, inexpensive family-oriented fun activity.
You should have recently received the Fall 2009 Blue Springs Magazine, which also contains the Parks & Recreation Activity Guide. On page 23 of the Guide is the map and list of the existing parks in our system.
I encourage you to find and experience a new park, one that was unknown to you, and then tell others about the park.
Blue Springs, MO —
