Special Events, Park Rules to Change

Members of the Columbia City Council have completed exhaustive review of ordinances which will make changes to parks & recreation rules, procedures and fees--capping more than a year of work by members of the Play Commission.

If adopted next Monday evening as anticipated, the proposed ordinances will enact the following changes:

• Reservation of park facilities will now be available for facilities in A.C. Metter Memorial Park, adjacent to the Columbia Public Library;
• Pavilion reservation applications will be revised to add new facilities and expand periods of use, creating opportunities to double availability to residents;
• Application for athletic areas will be expanded to include more facilities;
• A system will be created to help organize special events; and
• Posted park rules will be revised.

One of the proposed changes will allow rental of park pavilions for two periods each day--from opening until 2:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. until closing. Play Commission members argue that this change will provide more turnover at pavilions and, hence, allow more use of the facilities. Local residents may still use the pavilions, free of charge, if no one has reserved them during any given period. A placard system will be used to help manage reservations over the weekends.

The new regulations will establish a system for permitting special events. A special event is defined as any "outdoor or seasonal event including, but not limited to a picnic, parade, carnival, craft fair, art fair, bicycle/motorcycle/vehicle ride, run/walk, car show, wedding or other reception, or any other event held on public property which is open to attendance by the general public and/or may require special consideration from [the] City…” A one-time $125 processing fee will be charged for each event application, and additional fees may apply depending upon the services required.

For more information about the proposed new rules, procedures and fees, please contact Paul Ellis at (618) 281-7144 x. 118 or via email at pellis@columbiaillinois.com.

Changing the Rules

Members of the Columbia City Council are expected tonight to adopt two ordinances which will enable City staff to make a number of changes in parks & recreation procedures recommended by the Play Commission:

• Expand rental of park facilities to include Metter Memorial Park;
• Revise the park pavilion application to add new facilities and expand periods of use;
• Create an application for athletic areas;
• Create a new special event permits; and
• Revise posted park rules.

One of the proposed changes will allow rental of park pavilions for two periods each day--from opening until 2:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. until closing.  Play Commission members argue that this change will provide more turnover at pavilions and, hence, allow more use of the facilities.  Local residents may still use the pavilions, free of charge, if no one has reserved them during any given rental period.  A placard system will be used to help manage reservations over the weekends.

Columbia Kids Keeping on the Move

Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson served as a crossing guard for students and parents walking or riding bicycles to school today as part of the third annual "Walk & Roll to School Day" locally.  Columbia's celebration was one of more than 3,200 events staged today to mark International Walk to School Day.

The Mayor's service was part of the local community's Safe Routes to School program, an ongoing effort to encourage and enable more children to walk and bicycle to school.  To support safe travel, special crossing guards were on duty along Main St. at Temple Ave., near Ron’s Pharmacy and near The Lantern Restaurant between 7:15 and 8:00 in the morning and between 2:30 and 3:30 in the afternoon. The crossing guard at Immaculate Conception School was on duty regular hours, as always.

Safe Routes to School provides grants each year for local communities to make infrastructure improvements such as adding sidewalks or trails as well as non-infrastructure projects like funding more crossing guards.  Last year, Columbia received a $70,000 grant for fixed speed feedback signs which will be installed within the next few months.

First Lady Obama Urges National Action on Childhod Obesity

First lady Michelle Obama appealed to the nation's governors today for help in reducing childhood obesity, telling them that they have a moral and financial imperative to act.  Obama seeks support from leaders of both parties and expressed respect for the influence of the states.

The first lady has chosen what she hopes will be her legacy for the nation--the "Let's Move" campaign to curb childhood obesity. About two-thirds of American adults, and about a third of American children, are overweight or obese.

As articulated over the past several months, the first lady's campaign has four parts:

1. Helping parents make better food choices;
2. Serving healthier food in school vending machines and lunch lines;
3. Making healthy food more available and affordable; and
4. Encouraging children to exercise more.

The National Campaign for Play, organized by national non-profit KaBoom! and supported by the Columbia Play Commission, has been endorsed by Obama as a partner dedicated to bringing play back into the lives of America's children. Play makes children happier, fitter, smarter, and more socially adept and creative both here and now and in the future.

 

Become a Park Pal!

One legacy of Columbia's first Play Day is a new group for kids of all ages--Park Pals!

Anyone can become a Park Pal--all they have to do is read and agree to the Park Pals Pledge, then register. Registration will be available at upcoming events in Columbia's parks and also online at the City's website.

Here is the Park Pals Pledge:

1. I will read the park rules posted at each location;
2. I will obey the park rules at all times;
3. I will help to control litter whenever possible;
4. I will call 281-4264 to report park abuse or park safety issues;
5. I will have a great time when visiting the City of Columbia's parks;
6. I will proudly wear my Park Pal wrist band when visiting the City of Columbia's parks!

The Park Pals concept was created by Columbia Alderman Mary Ellen Niemietz and the logo was developed by Play Commission member Bill Seibel with assistance from the folks at Marketicity.

It's Saturday---It's Play Day!

Saturday afternoon is the launch for Columbia's first annual Play Day event. A scavenger hunt discovering Columbia’s parks, a variety of games, and kids’ art projects are just a few of the hands-on interactive activities planned for the event in Bolm-Schuhkraft Park (known to many residents as the “city park”). The 44.5-acre park is bordered by Parkview Dr., Temple St., the Parkview Elementary School campus and the Columbia High School campus.

Events run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free and this will be a rain or shine event.

The event is designed to discover the fun, education and recreation available in the city’s many public recreational areas and playspaces. Envisioned as “A Day to Play” by organizers, the event will feature interactive stations that will introduce visitors to the themes and activities found in Columbia’s parks, many of which are little known--or completely unknown--to many residents.

Created and hosted by the Columbia Play Commission in collaboration with KaBOOM!, this year’s inaugural event is supported by Commerce Bank, Columbia Market, the Columbia Rotary Club, Pam Keevan Photography, the Kiwanis Club of Columbia, the Monroe County YMCA, Moonwalkers, Radio Disney, the Monroe County Economic Development Council, Traube Tent Company and the City of Columbia.

“It’s really just a fun afternoon to get out and discover our parks,” states John Traube, Chair for the Play Commission. “Our hope is that families and kids of all ages will come for the fun and leave with a better appreciation for where to spend unstructured afternoons year-round.”

KaBOOM! recognized Columbia this year as a “Playful City USA,” a national recognition honoring cities and towns across the nation committed to taking action for play. Columbia was the only community in the St. Louis metropolitan area so honored this year.

Have a question or urgent need the day of the event? Call the Play Day Hotline at (618) 410-0051.

Mayor Proclaims Sept. 19th as 'Play Day'

Last evening, Columbia Mayor Keven Hutchinson proclaimed Saturday, September 19th, as "Play Day"--making the municipal government an official sponsor of the first annual event celebrating play.

The proclamation read as follows:

• Whereas, play is a crucial factor in the overall well-being of children;
• Whereas, children who play are healthier and suffer less obesity and obesity-related health problems such as diabetes and heart disease;
• Whereas, children who play do better in school and develop cognitive skills that are linked to learning and academic performance;
• Whereas, children who play learn the social skills that help them become happy and well-adjusted adults;
• Whereas, research proves that recreation and exercise are important to the physical and mental health of citizens of all ages;
• Whereas, a diverse and dynamic parks and recreation program is considered a key element of local quality of life; and
• Whereas, the City of Columbia has previously endorsed the National Campaign for Play, established a Play Commission and been designated a “Playful City USA”;
  
  NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kevin B. Hutchinson, Mayor of the City of Columbia, proclaim the 19th of September 2009 to be “Play Day” in Columbia and invite our citizens to participate in activities recognizing that day.

John Traube, chair for the Play Commission, and other members of that group were on hand to receive the proclamation along with applause from the City Council and other citizens present at the meeting. After that moment in the limelight, the group retired to another meeting room in City Hall to finish their next-to-final planning meeting prior to the big event.