The BPNA - Parks Committees

Benton Park Neighborhood Association - Parks Committee

The Parks Committee oversees the administration of the programs and improvement of facilities in the parks, promotes the use of parks among the residents and advises the BPNA on current and future plans for the parks system.

Our local parks are among our most important community assets. When they work well and look good, they are a delight. When they do not, they can seriously harm their communities.

Workdays for 2007 - Meet at 10:00 am on the strolling bridge at Arsenal and Missouri

	February 3 - Thanks you Nancy Galvin & Patricia Rummel.
	March 3 Thanks to Dan Guenther, Todd Bradford, Nancy Galvin, Chris Rowley, Nathin, Cipriano Medina and Patricia Rummel.
	March 31 (tree planting day) Thank you Dan Guenther and Patricia Runnnel
	April 29 (Wind Event) Thank you Dan Guenther, Patricia Rummel and Meegan. (Building Survey) Thank you Nancy Galvin, Cipriano Medina
	June 3 (Flower Planting) Thanks to an Guenther and Patricia Rummel (Marker Clean-up) Nancy Galvin, Chris Rowley, Dan Guenther and John Doggett
	August 5
	October 7 (Chalk Art Festival)
	October 28

We have four parks in the Benton Park Neighborhood:

	Benton Park
	Cherokee Park
	Fremont Park
	Carnegie Park

Planting Plans that are proposed for the different parks:

Carnegie Park - North side at Indiana & Utah.
Carnegie Park - South side at Indiana & Utah.
Cherokee Park - along the Lemp side.

Art for the Park

We currently have the beautiful Strolling Bridge Gates. These gates were designed by a local architect; Ray Simon. The BPNA has plans to get electricity installed under the bridge. This improvement will allow the back-lighting of the gates and create a sticking visual improvement of the art in the park.

We also have another local iron working artist who wish to produce a arbores in the park. He has submitted a couple of concept drawings. The BPNA has submitted pictures of the original arbor for his consideration of replicating them.

The Parks Committee shall: review the maintenance and improvement of parks land, plantings, replacement plantings, trimming of trees and other vegetation, and the protection of vegetation, and landscaping improvements for the beautification of the neighborhood.

	Maintain Benton Park
	Maintain Cherokee Park
	Maintain Fremont Park
	Maintain Carnegie Park
	Organize the Annual Chalk Art festival
	Search for and submit Grant Application to support programs

Charles Hooker, Dan Guenther, and Patricia Rummel have been the very active in the Benton Park Parks Committee with planning and implementation. They believe that a greater involvement with neighborhood participation will greatly enhance our seeking funding and assessing proposed improvements

Recent Changes

Focus Group: During the Fall of 2006, many residents started taking an interest in Benton Park. A BPNA member; John Doggette decided try to assist in coordinating efforts with the existing Parks Committee and the new BPNA members wishing to contribute with redeveloping Benton Park.

Meeting Notice
Meeting Notes

Executive Board: With the new Executive Board of 2007, the board members made Benton Park as one of its top 3 goals for 2007.

Meeting Notice
Meeting Notes

City: The City of Saint Louis, our 9th Ward Aldermen Ken Ortmann, and the Department of Parks have moved forward with securing a contractor to completely rebuild the lake in Benton Park.

	Main Lake Repair - Completed May 1st, 2007
	Small Lake Repair - Completed June 23rd, 2007
	Playground Equipment - In Progress. The 25% of the cost required has been secured. Will be placing the order with the City for inclusion into the 2008 budget.
	Electrical Upgrade - Submitted for Bid Bid from 2002 - $34,000 Bid from 2006 - $140,000 Most Current Bid: $39,938 Comfort Station $31,740 Strolling Bridge The electrical addition to the Strolling Bridge will be utilized to power A.) backlighting for the gates, B.) video equipment for Movie Nights and C.) sound equipment for concerts.

Last updated: Sunday, January 11, 2009