Through mid-April, vehicle access into English Landing Park will be closed. Crews will be replacing the low water crossing at the entrance to the park with an elevated bridge to help prevent future park closures associated with periods of high river levels. Pedestrian access will remain open across the Waddell “A-Truss” Bridge. Access to Platte Landing Park, including the dog park, will not be effected by this road closure.

English Landing Park has one point of vehicle access from Main Street to McAfee Street, with the secondary pedestrian access at the Waddell “A-Truss” Bridge. When the White Alloe Creek floods due to backwater from high Missouri River levels, the low water vehicle crossing on McAfee Street closes until such time the water recedes. During this time, public access to the park is restricted. With funding from a federal grant, a new elevated bridge will be constructed on McAfee Street.

In 2015, severe storms and flooding caused the White Alloe Creek water level to rise over the low water crossing and the City had to close the park for an extended period. The State of Missouri received a federal disaster declaration due to the flooding and as a result, Platte County was one of 68 counties that received post-disaster grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The City applied for a grant to replace the low water crossing with an elevated bridge structure and in 2017 was awarded $368,377 for the project. In addition to the FEMA grant, the City also received an $11,000 Platte County Stormwater Outreach Grant. Combined with City funds, the new $506,468 bridge will provide safe access to English Landing Park for public use and emergency response. Additional bank stabilization along White Alloe Creek will also be included as part of the project.

The new elevated Conspan Bridge will safely allow two-way vehicle access and pedestrian traffic and will provide an aesthetic feature at the entrance of the park. Mayor Johnston said, “Flooding of English Landing Park has occurred many times over the years. With the elevated bridge, visitors will be able to access the park throughout the year. This has been a long needed project and we are looking forward to improving the entrance to our park and expanding the times when our citizens can enjoy the beautiful park.”

For more information about the project, contact Public Works Director Alysen Abel at (816) 741-7676.

Parkville City Hall will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2019, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at 8:00 a.m.

The Parkville Police Department and members of the community joined together to help a Parkville mother and her two daughters with assistance during the holiday season. The family shopped with police officers during the 9^th Annual Shop with a Cop event, received new furniture donated by a local business and was surprised by the community with a new vehicle and gift certificates.

Recently on a call for service, officers noticed the family did not have furniture in their home and determined they could use some help to get on their feet. With a generous donation of furniture from Walmart located on Boardwalk Avenue, officers assembled the furniture and delivered it to the family on December 18^th with Police Chief Kevin Chrisman and Mayor Nan Johnston.

On December 27^th, members of the community and the Police Department surprised the family with a new car. Several local businesses worked together to help prepare the vehicle for the family. Mike Higdon, owner of Arrow Tow, donated a 2002 Toyota Camry; Dave McKahan, owner of Dave’s Foreign Car Repair, donated approximately $800 in parts and labor to make the car operational; and Rand Best, Best Battery, donated a new battery.

In addition to the car, Kevin Heaton, owner of Stone Canyon Pizza, donated a $50 gift certificate and a certificate for 12 pizzas throughout 2019. Mitch Weber, Toto TV Productions, donated his time to capture the moment when the car and gift certificates were presented to the family. The video is available online at https://youtu.be/cpe6ilZBbfc.

Police Chief Kevin Chrisman said, “It is a great day when you can put smiles on the faces of a mother and her young daughters during a time of need. I credit our strong community partnerships for making this significant event happen for these wonderful people. I also want to the thank the men and women of our fine police department for their commitment and professionalism by displaying compassion and empathy toward those we serve on a daily basis.”

For more information, contact Chief Chrisman at (816) 741-7676.

Learn about Proposition P: http://parkvillemo.gov/community/parks/park-sales-tax/.

The Parkville Board of Aldermen held the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a ballot question on the April 2, 2019, general municipal election to collect a sales tax for Parkville parks. If approved by the voters, the City would begin collecting a sales tax of one-half of one percent, or one-half of one cent per one dollar, on all retail sales spent within the city for the next 10 years beginning in October 2019. The sales tax would provide long-term self-funding to improve park facilities and to help ensure the sustainability of the Parkville parks system. All revenue collected from the sales tax would only be used for funding Parkville parks and related activities and improvements.

The Board of Aldermen adopted the 2016 Parks Master Plan that established a long-term vision that preserves and enhances the quality of life for residents, and includes an action plan for the city park system. The city enjoys a premiere network of parks and open spaces including the riverfront parks, nature trails, neighborhood park and nature sanctuaries. The Plan provides a road map for maintenance and improvement of the parks system and operations. Also included were recommendations regarding department organization, how to increase funding for maintenance and amenities, closing the maintenance gap, ideas for programming and promoting citywide connectivity to parks and open space. An emphasis on the riverfront parks was included in the plan. The park planning process involved several workshops and forums where hundreds of citizens participated and were given the opportunity to provide comments and feedback on their vision for parks and recreation in Parkville.

The large-scale projects listed in the Plan are part of the City’s capital improvement program as future unfunded projects until funding becomes available. A local parks sales tax was identified in the Plan as the principal funding mechanism for park facility improvements and long-term maintenance of the parks, trails and nature areas.

The Community Land and Recreation Board is in the process of refining and prioritizing projects for improvements to the City’s park system. The top three priorities include 1) trail connectivity; 2) completion of the ballfields and multipurpose fields in Platte Landing Park; and 3) upgrade to and maintenance of smaller neighborhood parks and trails that have a more direct impact to community members in the area. Other projects identified in the Parkville Parks Master Plan would also be considered for improvement.

If the ballot question is approved by the voters in April, the City anticipates receiving an estimated $500,000 annually. The revenue collected will only be used to improve and maintain Parkville’s local parks by adding new amenities to recreation areas, trail and nature sanctuaries, and to fund major repairs, renovations and replacements of existing facilities. At the end of the 10-year period, the sales tax will expire and can be renewed only by voter approval.

A second reading will be held at the regular Board of Aldermen meeting on January 2, 2019. For more information, contact City Administrator Joe Parente at (816) 741-7676.

Parkville City Hall will be closed on Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25, 2018, for Christmas. Regular hours will resume on Wednesday, December 26 and 8:00 a.m.

City Hall will also be closed on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, for New Year’s Day. Regular hours will resume on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

The City permits authorized fireworks to be discharged or exploded from 9:00 p.m. on December 31st until 1:00 a.m. on January 1st.

Authorized fireworks are: Ground devices as described in RSMo., 320.106(2), containing no more than fifty (50) mg of explosive composition, and classified as Class C explosives by the United States Department of Transportation. Class C aerial devices may be sold, offered for sale, exposed for sale or possessed, but may not be used, discharged or exploded within the City limits.

Please click the following link for the full ordinance: https://ecode360.com/27899998?highlight=fireworks#27899998

The Board of Aldermen will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at Parkville City Hall, 8880 Clark Avenue, to consider a 10 percent increase to the Parkville sewer rates. For more information visit http://parkvillemo.gov/residents/sewer-utility-billing/#rateinfo.

The 7th Annual Paint Parkville event was held between September 25 and 29. The City of Parkville proudly sponsored its fourth purchase award to support the event and to bring talented artists into the community. This year’s theme was “Honoring our First Responders” and the City of Parkville selected Downtown Main Street as its sponsored event location. Mayor Nan Johnston presented the City’s award to winning artist Tammie Dickerson at the Board of Aldermen meeting on December 4, 2018.

Artists from around the Kansas City metro area converged for Paint Parkville 2018. Paint Parkville is an annual outdoor plein air painting event hosted by the Cathy Kline Art Gallery with the goal of fostering art appreciation by inviting the public to observe artists in action.

This is the fourth year the City has sponsored a purchase award for Paint Parkville. Prior themes included Parkville, the new entryway sign along Highway 9 near Coffey Road east of downtown and the Parkville Nature Sanctuary. The new painting will be displayed next to the other purchase awards at Parkville City Hall.

Police Chief Kevin Chrisman was also presented with a painting sponsored by the Main Street Parkville Association. The winning artist was Diane Stolz.

Cathy Kline presented a sculpture to Mayor Johnston and thanked the City for supporting Paint Parkville.

For more information about the City’s purchase awards, please contact City Clerk Melissa McChesney at (816) 741-7676.

Left to right: Tammie Dickerson, Mayor Nan Johnston and Cathy Kline

Celebrate the holidays at the 25th anniversary of Parkville Christmas on the River on Friday, November 30th! Admission is free!

Schedule of Events

• 6:00 p.m. – Welcome – Santa and Holiday Joy
• 6:05 p.m. – Salvation Army Brass Band
• 6:25 p.m. – Park University International Students “Pacific Islanders”
• 6:35 p.m. – St. Therese Adult Choir
• 6:55 p.m. – Park Hill South High Dance Team
• 7:00 p.m. – St. Therese School Choir
• 7:20 p.m. – Dickens Carolers
• 7:30 p.m. – Salvation Army Brass Band
• 7:45 p.m. – Quixotic Cirque Nouveau
• 8:00 p.m. – 1,000 Voice Children’s Choir (Park Hill School District)
• 8:30 p.m. – Fireworks

Note: Events and times are subject to change. Shuttle services are available until 10 pm. Due to the fireworks and safety reasons, the boat ramp and Platte Landing Park will be closed to the public on Friday, November 30, starting at noon and will reopen Saturday, December 1, 2018.

Free Shuttle Service

From 6-10 p.m., free shuttle service will be available at the following locations:

• Platte County Community Center South (east parking lot)
• Park University main entrance
• Park University parking lot by soccer field (6th Street and Hwy 9)
  Shuttles for Park Hill School District Choir Parents ONLY will be located at Park Hill South.

Due to limited parking downtown, the Parkville Police Department recommends taking a shuttle to and from the event.

Handicap Parking

Handicap parking will be available in the parking lot at the entrance to English Landing Park (blue star on map below). Handicap vehicles MUST have a State-issued placard or license plates on their vehicle to access the marked handicap parking lot.

Closures

The following streets will be closed:

• First Street from East Street to Main Street
• Second Street from East Street to Main Street
• East Street from First to McAfee
• McAfee Street (handicap vehicle access only)
• Main Street (handicap vehicle access only)
• FF Highway from Main to West Street (detour pictured below)

Other closures include:

• Parking lots between Main and East streets and north of the Farmer’s Market
• Platte Landing Park and dog parks
  Due to the fireworks and for safety reasons, Platte Landing Park (including the dog parks and boat ramp) will be closed to the public starting at noon on Friday and will reopen Saturday, December 1st.

Detour for FF Highway

Christmas on the River is organized by the Main Street Parkville Association.