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 People, Places and Progress -
Working the Plan By Roscoe Righter In the fall of 2007, the Parks & Recreation Department set out to create its third strategic plan. Two earlier plans were adopted in 1995 and 2000. We invited over sixty-five organizations, businesses, civic clubs, and citizens to develop the plan over three meetings. We had forty accept our invitation with an average attendance of around thirty per meeting. The end result was a report submitted to the Park Commission and City Council in March of 2008 for their adoption. The plan was entitled "People Places and Progress". This volunteer committee reviewed and discussed the results from the 2007 Citizen Survey, data from the National Recreation and Park Association, information from the Missouri Park and Recreation Association, statistics and information from the City and Parks & Recreation Department, and statistics on nation wide trends. Five topics were highly discussed, which where; (A) the need for an additional aquatic center, while maintaining and updating the current one, (B) the south and east parts of the community need more parkland, (C) there needs to be a recreation center to act as a central location for the community, (D) there is a desire for a performing arts center, and (E) trails need to be completed and connected to various resources. Five official goals resulted from the planning process, which are; (A) build new and maintain current facilities to serve our growing community, (B) provide parks and open spaces that would meet the City's standards, (C) provide programming that meets the needs of all age groups and persons with special needs, (D) implement strategic plan with adequate resources, and (E) enhance and promote the image of the Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Department. Each goal had from one to several objectives framed to help achieve the goal. Read on for more information.... | |  BBQ Blaze-Off
The Blue Springs Barbeque Blaze-Off is a state championship barbeque contest that takes place annually the first weekend after Labor Day. The event hosts over 75 cooking teams, requires over 90 judges and attracts an ever growing crowd of spectators each year. A committee of volunteers works year round planning for this special weekend in September. The longtime contest slogan, "Good times, Good friends and Great barbeque!" reflects the committee's commitment to cooking teams, judges and everyone that comes out to experience the event. The 2009 Blaze-Off will be held Friday and Saturday, September 11-12, at Hidden Valley Park Sports Complex. Hidden Valley Park is located at 6500 NW Valley View Road in Blue Springs, MO. This will be the 26th Annual Barbeque Blaze-Off. The first Blaze-Off was held in 1984 and hosted seven teams competing under the downtown water tower during the City's Fall Fun Festival. Since then, we have changed the contest date to precede the Fall Fun Festival, moved to an even larger location and grown to over 75 teams. Also, we continue to increase the opportunities for the general public to participate and enjoy the event. $1 Buck-a-Bone tickets can be redeemed for food and beverages throughout the event. A beer garden is open both days and soft drinks and water are also available. Barbeque contest teams can sell their choice of food - samples, full meals, side dishes, dessert - priced at one or more Buck-a-Bone tickets. A portion of the proceeds from Buck-a-Bone ticket sales is also donated to Community Services League. The stage will be filled with local groups providing music Friday night and all day Saturday. A charity salsa contest is open to the public on Saturday, September 12th. The public, as well as barbeque teams, can enter homemade salsa that is judged by anyone that purchases a $1.00 Buck-a-Bone ticket. An individual may purchase as many tickets (vote as many times) as they wish. | |  Renaissance Festival Tickets Sold
We will once again, through the Missouri Park and Recreation Association Theme Park Ticket Program, be selling Kansas City Renaissance Festival tickets at a discounted price. Adult tickets are sold for $13.00 each and children tickets are being sold for $7.00 each.
What: 2009 Kansas City Renaissance Festival gates are awaiting to open for the 33rd season! Nearly 16 acres of shaded lanes come to life with over 500 costumed characters, more than 165 artisans, 13 stages brimming with unique, live entertainment, festive and beautiful music and food befitting royalty! Go back 500 years to the time of the Renaissance and be amazed at what you see.
When: Seven glorious weekends each autumn beginning Labor Day weekend, including Labor Day and Columbus Day, September 5 thru October 18. The Front Gate ceremony begins at 9:45 am. Gates are open from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm, rain or shine.
Where: Fifteen minutes and five hundred years from downtown Kansas City. Located in Bonner Springs, Kansas, just off I-70 and K-7. Turn right after exiting I-70 and banners and signs lead you to the Festival gates.
| |  Fall Parks & Recreation
Activity Guide JUST OUT: The fall issue of the Parks & Recreation of Blue Springs activity guide is now available. The 24 page activity guide is being mailed to every Blue Springs resident as an insert of the city's Blue Springs Magazine. The activity guide will inform you of our many fun and exciting activities, services and facilities that we have to offer. Please check us out. | |  Dedicate a Tree Program
Mid September through October are great months to plant trees. We offer a "Dedicate a Tree Program" which allows an individual or group to purchase a tree of their choice and then "dedicate" that tree in honor of an individual or group for planting at their favorite Blue Springs park site. A personalized "Dedicate a Tree" certificate will be provided, as well as the tree being tagged with dedication information. Selected tree species must be chosen from a preferred tree list and must meet the landscaping needs of the chosen park site. Attached is a "Dedicate a Tree" application form and information. | |  Improvements to Gregory O. Grounds Park
This park has seen the majority of our system wide improvements this summer with several projects being completed. A portion of the shoreline that had eroded has been restored. An 80-foot long wooden bridge with custom steel hand/safety railing system now connects the east and west sides of the park. A 12' by 18' fishing dock has been installed on the east side of the lake through a cooperative project with the Missouri Department of Conservation. July 2 marked the addition of a small dog park just north of the existing dog park. A ten foot wide, 1.5 miles of asphalt trail now starts at the parking lot on Jefferson Street goes north where it connects to the restrooms, dog park, fishing dock and to the trail leading to Duncan road and the bridge. It then crosses to the west side of the park and follows the shoreline around and connects to the sidewalk on the east side of Adams Dairy Parkway. Still being worked on is the expansion to the dog park parking lot and repairs to the Jefferson Street parking lot are now taking place.
Lake Remembrance is now open for fishing. Fishing regulations are posted, a Missouri fishing license is required and regulations are enforced by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The lake is not open for boating or swimming at this time. See what we have accomplished. | |  GOOD SPORTS: Parenting Tips
1. Remember the games belong to the kids, and the top priority is to have fun. 2. Let your kids take the lead in talking with their coaches when issues arise. 3. Keep your own frustrations in check during tense moments at their games. 4. Encourage your kids to play and try as many sports as they want, but be aware of burnout. 5. A successful youth sports program depends on everyone in the community pitching in. | | 
Bits and Pieces Blue Springs Car Cruise Nights Dance Classes Golf Tournaments at Adams Pointe Storytime at Blue Springs Park Theme Park Tickets are Available Parks and Recreation Activity Guide Vesper Hall "GoodTimes" Activity Guide Facility Rental Opportunities Details.....
| | Health and Fitness Tips:
Sports Injury, Before it's a Problem - Instead of taking an injury through rehabilitation after it is an injury, why not rehab before. You can actually take preventative measures before you indulge in a sport or activity by ensuring you stretch properly. This will help strengthen as well as stretch muscles, which in turn, helps reduce unnecessary injuries. | | Quotes to Live By:
"The people who drive themselves further once the effort gets difficult are the ones who will win."
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Mission Statement
| | "It is the mission of the Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Department to serve the publics well-being by providing quality leisure opportunities through the research, establishment, implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive parks, recreation, buildings and grounds system." | | | |