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Grounds Park - A fine place to spend a little time
By Roscoe Righter
Now that our weather is at least bouncing between spring and summer, activity at Grounds Park is picking up. I thought our public might be interested in some general information related to the "O". You may be wondering what I am referring to as the "O". Well the official name of the park is Gregory O. Grounds Park. We have started referring to the park as the "O", it is shorter and a catchy reference. It's like; I will meet you under the "Clock", which most Kansas Citizens know is Union Station. Or the "K" is short for Kauffman Stadium. So if you hear someone refer to the "O" in Blue Springs, think of Grounds Park. The park is 106 acres total with 54 surface acres of water named "Lake Remembrance", surrounded by 52 acres of park land. It has been open for about four years, with fishing and the trail opening more recently. The oldest feature is the Dog Park facility. Thirty acres of the 52 acres of land were donated to the City for park purposes.
Read on for more information....
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Season Pool Pass On Sale It's time to purchase your summer swimming season and save some money. Purchase your Centennial Pool-Plex preseason pass now through Memorial Day and you can save 5%. In addition to these savings you will also receive FREE GUEST PASSES for each pass purchased before Memorial Day. Receive 2 FREE single day guest passes with the purchase of a Season Family Pass and 1 FREE single day guest pass with the purchase of a Season Individual Pass. These are good anytime during the 2011 summer swim season.
You know that it is going to be a hot summer. The best time to purchase your season passes for summer fun and exercise is now.
Season pass prices and Early Bird discounts:
May
Regular Price 5% Discount Resident Family(4)* $120.00 $114.00 Resident Individual 70.00 66.50
Non-Resident Family (4)* 150.00 142.50
Non-Resident Individual 95.00 90.25
*Maximum of two (2) adults per family pass, 21 years of age or older. Additional household adults will be required to purchase an Individual season pass. Additional family members over four (4) will be charged $15.00 for Residents and $16.00 for Non-residents.
FREE DAY AT THE POOL: Come and check out what Centennial Pool-Plex has to offer by attending our annual FREE DAY AT THE POOL on Saturday, May 28th. Bring the whole family for a free day of fun at Centennial Pool-Plex. | | 
Street Flicks - The Karate Kid Come out and enjoy a free movie in Downtown Blue Springs on Friday, June 24th! Bring your family and friends to the Blue Springs Street Flicks located between 12th and Main. It will be an enjoyable night with a little something for everyone! Co-sponsored with the Main Center Merchants and the Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Department, we are excited to present the movie The Karate Kid. Activities for children will begin at 7:15 PM and the movie begins at dusk. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and get comfortable for a great relaxing evening. Make plans for our upcoming free downtown Street Flick: How to Train Your Dragon - July 22nd. | | 
Skateboard Competition Come out and enjoy the annual "Skate Park Competition" at Old Mill Park on Saturday, June 18th. The competition will start at 10:00am and end approximately 2:00pm. The competition will have three levels:
1) 10 & under
2) Intermediate (at least 18 months experience)
3) Expert (two years or more experience)
The cost is only $10.00 per participant. Prizes will be awarded, which will consist of skate boards, wheels, bearings, beanies and skate clothing. There also will be a product toss at the end of the event. Skaters will be judged on time runs and best trick. There will be only 20 spots available at each level. During the event, helmets will be required along with signed waivers. This event continues to do well, especially with the help or our sponsors, Elks 2509 of Blue Springs. During the event, there will be music and concessions. I encourage people of Blue Springs to stop by and watch the excitement and see the skaters perform their different tricks.
Pre-registrations are recommended. Contact the Parks & Recreation Office, 228-0137. Waiver Form...... | | 
Night Bike Ride
Experience a truly unique group night bike ride through the streets of Blue Springs on Saturday, June 11th with a rain date of Saturday, June 18th. Experienced cyclists of all ages are welcome and may choose between a 14 mile or 19 mile route. Both will start at 11:30 pm at the Centennial Pool-Plex, 2401 NW Ashton Drive. This is not a timed event so ride at your own pace. Journey through downtown Blue Springs, the historic district, and out to Adams Dairy Parkway. The roads will be marked and police officials will monitor the busy intersections with volunteers at most of the turn points.
Pre-registration ends June 1, 2011; the cost is $20 per cyclist. Registration after June 1 will cost $25 and does not guarantee a T-shirt. Contact the Parks & Recreation Department or The Bike Stop Bicycle Store for an entry form. Front lights, tail lights, and helmets are required. Music, snacks and beverages as well as prizes donated by area merchants await registered participants at the end of the route. Proceeds benefit bike trails in Blue Springs.
Preregister with Parks & Recreation, by phone with Visa, Discover, or Master Card, on line at www.bluespringsgov.com, by mail or in person at City Hall, 903 W. Main Street. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information call the Parks & Recreation office at 228-0137.
Map and Event Brochure..... | | 
Music in the Park
Our 15 week long free park concert series starts Memorial Weekend May 29th. These Sunday evening concerts are held at Rotary Park from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy some quality music in a great setting. Music in the Park sponsors include: 1st MidAmerica Credit Union, MDonalds of Blue Springs, McCarthy Blue Springs Nissan, Blue Springs & Lake Lotawana Optimists and The Examiner Newspaper.
May 29th - Krazy Kats, 50's & 60's, presented by Zuvers Real Estate Services of Blue Springs
June 5th, 4-6 pm - Rain Dogs, Bluegrass/Blues/Folk, presented by Cavanuagh Pet Hospital June 5th, 6:30-8:30 pm - David Mayfield Parade, Americana, presented by Fletcher's J Bar S Western Wear
June 12th - Southbound, Variety, presented by Blue Springs Elks 2509
June 19th - BluzBenderz, Blues, presented by Tandem Paving
June 26th - Elsea Smith Band, Blues & Rock, presented by Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce
For a complete list of summer concerts........ | | 
Bits and Pieces
- Line Dance & Social Dance - Beginner Jazz Dance - RAD Training - Youth Tennis Lessons - 50+ Day Trips -Kids on the Rock Climbing Camp -Crazy Chemistry - Facility Rental Opportunities More Information.....
| | Health and Fitness Tip EAT LOCALLY - It's true, you don't have a lot of time to grocery shop and the food you buy needs to provide the biggest nutritional bang for your buck. Eating locally and seasonally is the best way to ensure you are cooking with nutrient-dense ingredients. Foods that are imported from other countries or trucked in from across the nation lose their vitamins and minerals along the way. Visiting your local farmers market or co-op will not only improve your diet, it will also leave a smaller carbon footprint on the environment. To further support your farming community and feed your family well, buy grass-fed meats and poultry from local farming families. | | Quote to Live By "Play for grown people is recreation-the renewal of life; for children it is growth-the gaining of life."
-Joseph Lee | |
Mission Statement
| | "It is the mission of the Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Department to serve the public's well-being by providing quality leisure opportunities through the research, establishment, implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive parks, recreation, buildings and grounds system." | | | |