New Vision Emerges for Admiral Trost Park

The public is invited to review the preferred alternative for the long-term use of the 33.8-acre parcel in the Admiral Trost Development Subdivision designated for parks & recreation. The City and its consultant, SWT Design of St. Louis (along with sub-consultant SCI Engineering), seek community input as to how best to develop the park property for future recreational and community uses.

Following extensive site analysis, two public forums, several focus group meetings, and meetings with the City Council and various advisory boards, the planning team presented the preferred alternative this past Monday evening to members of the City Council and the Plan Commission.  This alternative, pictured at right, includes new wetland areas, a boardwalk with interpretive areas, a football stadium, a fitness trail, practice fields and other public amenities.   The final draft plan will be reviewed by the Play Commission at their next meeting, then referred to the City Council, which is expected to hold a final public hearing on the proposed plan sometime next month.

For more information about the proposed park and the master planning process, visit the City of Columbia's website.

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.