Restoration project planned for Heritage Park softball fields in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The riverfront softball fields of St. Joseph are set for a thorough facelift in preparation for next playing season.
Fields one through five at the Bill McKinney Softball Complex at Heritage Park will be regraded and reconstructed following approval of a $42,473 contract Monday with Mid-America Golf & Landscape for the project.
The restoration project is designed to restore the infields to a proper grade and support drainage to increase playability and achieve a safe playing surface. The fields and surrounding area often experience challenges with stormwater drainage.
Each of the five infields will then be reconstructed through the addition of red shale as well as a lime dust foundation. The state-of-the-art sports complex includes one 250-foot and four 300-foot irrigated fields.
New field amenities will be also purchased by the Parks & Recreation Department as part of the project.
Department officials hope to have the project complete prior to the next playing season, which typically begins in late April and May.
Since opening in 2003, the complex has hosted ten national tournaments, several regional and state tournaments, as well as numerous locally-sponsored contests and tournaments, bringing in thousands of tourists and families to support the local economy.
