Civic Arena hosts Parks and Rec Rodeo

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Over 80 Parks and Recreation employees from across the Northwest Missouri region put their skills to the test at a "Maintenance Rodeo" in Civic Arena Wednesday.

Events involved using forklifts, traversing a course towing a trailer, competing to hammer a nail into a board in as few hits as possible and more.

The rodeo serves as a competition, with winning teams taking home the prize for their city's parks department.

"Events like today, it's an opportunity to give back to the park maintenance staff that are the unsung heroes of the Parks and Rec departments from across the state," said Gary Gates, the executive director of the Missouri Park and Recreation Association. "They make sure that we have safe, clean and accessible facilities and parks for patrons."

The rodeo is one of three statewide to determine which department's name ends up on the trophy.