Park Board Continues Discussions On Master Plan
By Eric X. Viccaro
EVICCARO@STEGENHERALD.COM
The Ste. Genevieve Parks and Recreation Board continued discussions on the master plan for Pere Marquette Park at its regular meeting on Sept. 22.
The master plan was put together by the husband-and-wife team of Nick and Mary Donze, of Donze Planning, LLC.
A portable document file (PDF) version of the plan is readily available on the Ste. Genevieve Parks’ Facebook page.
The board recently prioritized what work will be performed first, including construction of a new trail around the park, updating restroom facilities and the showcase Adventure Playground.
Park board members have begun the process of looking for grants, and gathering estimates for the work that needs to be done.
Members said they may need to “ramp up the process” since a federal trail grant application is typically due in February every year.
Mary Donze will be used as a consultant on the grant paperwork.
Field operations supervisor Gary Roth, park board president John Conard will flag the new trail before the next work session — another special park board meeting took place last night at the Park House.
The board will request both the Donzes and an engineer to walk the new path.
Board member Lauren Smothers hopes the new trail will have the same layout. The trail is expected to be 10-feet wide, with concrete or asphalt as the potential surfaces of choice.
Moving forward, the park board will be charged a $45 consulting fee/hour for any work the Donzes perform — including research time.
Board members John Karel and Mark Buchheit motioned and seconded approval to allot $2,000 of the budget toward Donzes consultation fees.
The board also agreed to have working and planning sessions every two weeks — focusing on master plan phases for greater productivity during regular sessions.
“We need to get the path marked out,” Conard said during the meeting.
As many observers have noted, this is the first time in many years the park board has been this focused on dedicated civic improvements.
PUMPKIN GLOW IS OCT. 24
• The annual Pumpkin Glow will take place from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, it was learned during the meeting.
Smothers and new park board member Geoff Duvall motioned and seconded to allot $300 for pumpkins and supplies.
Local businesses will be invited to participate in decorating and carving pumpkins for display during this free Halloween-themed event.