Blue Springs Voters Make Parks A Priority For Years To Come

On April 6, 2021, Blue Springs voters overwhelmingly approved the indefinite renewal of the Parks 1/2-cent sales tax. Since it's inception in 2017, the City of Blue Springs has seen a myriad of parks improvements and renovations including playgrounds at Young Park, Ward Park and Rotary Park and the new splashpad and playground at Burrus Old Mill, to name a few.

The renewal of the parks sales tax was an integral part of the City’s ability to continue the improvement of our park facilities, parkland development and facility improvements for years to come.

With the approved renewal, the City will continue updating many of our existing parks and facilities. More than $10 million will be reinvested to improve neighborhood parks such as playgrounds, athletic fields, shelters, restrooms and more by end of 2025. Trail Improvements to include completion of trail loop at Grounds Park and more.

After 2025, approximately $1.45 million will be allocated each year to parks maintenance and improvements.

AQUATICS FACILITY

Over the past few years, Blue Springs Parks and Recreation has been working to find ways to replace the Centennial Pool-plex with a modern indoor/ outdoor aquatics facility. The renewal of the Parks Sales Tax allows for the construction of a new modern facility replacing the 40-year-old Centennial Poolplex, now operated by the Blue Springs School District. Due to maintenance cost and facility

repairs required to operate the outdoor pool, the Blue Springs School District has informed the City, the outdoor pool will close permanently. The City recently hired a construction manager at-risk for this project and is hoping for construction to begin in 2022-2023.

SOUTHWEST PARK

With a vision to provide our residents in southern Blue Springs with the same quality park amenities the rest of the City experiences, funds from the renewal of the parks sales tax will include the development of Southwest Park located west of 7 Highway and north of Wyatt Road. The City anticipates the design of this project will begin in 2025 with construction following.

Maintenance & Improvement Projects through 2025

BAUMGARDNER PARK

Tennis Court Renovations

BLUE SPRINGS PARK

New Athletic Field Lights 2 New Shelters Basketball Court Light Replacement

HIDDEN VALLEY PARK

Soccer Parking Lot Curbs & Paving Football, Baseball & Softball New Curbs Football, Baseball & Softball Paving Roof Replacement all Concession RR Buildings Concession/Restroom Building

JAMES WALKER SCHOOL PARK

Basketball Court Renovations Skate Park Renovations Baseball Field Improvements

KEYSTONE PARK

Playground Replacement New Restroom Facility

PINK HILL PARK

Playground #2 Renovations BMX Track Facility Fence Renovations BMX Track Bleacher Replacement Nelson Field Renovations/Lights

ROTARY PARK

Large Playground Replacement Tennis Court Renovations

WARD PARK

New Restroom Facility Tennis Court – Covert to Pickleball Facility

WOODS CHAPEL PARK

Playground Renovations

TRAILS

Duncan Rd. Trail – Deer Run to Trail End ADP Trail – Roanoke to Duncan Rd. ADP Trail – 40 Hwy. to AA Hwy. ADP Trail – AA Hwy to Ryan Rd. Coronado Trail – ADP to Sunnyside School Rd. Moreland School Rd. – 19th to Liggett

ADAMS POINTE GOLF CLUB

Replace Main Irrigation Pump Replace Banquet Room Windows Replace Exterior Doors

VESPER HALL

Replace Kitchen Equipment

GROUNDS PARK

Complete Trail Loop along Jefferson

TOTAL: $10,350,000

On June 17, the City celebrated the completion of the renovations at Hidden Valley Park Playground with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a playground party with the Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Summer Camp kids. This play structure is just one of the many improvement projects from the 2017 1/2-cent Parks Sales Tax.

For more information on the Parks Sales Tax Projects, go to www.bluespringsgov.com/parkssalestax