City provides update on John Lucas Enhancement Project
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The City of St. Joseph Parks and Recreation held a public meeting last week regarding the John Lucas Enhancement Project.
Among the topics discussed were improvements to the deck area of the park, updated curbs, railing, playground upgrades and resurfaced basketball courts.
"We sometimes almost have tunnel vision when we're looking at these types of projects," Parks Director Jeff Atkins said. "That's why we like to have the public sessions, to kind of broaden our vision a little bit, cover the things that were missing."
In showing designs of potential playgrounds, Atkins added that input is wanted from people of all ages.
"To get the opinion of a 5 or 6 year old when you're designing playgrounds, that's awesome, right," Atkins said. "I'm a grandpa. I don't know what kids want to play on. I think I do, but when you hear it from a kid, that's when it's really important."
Some of the renovations and improvements will be dependent on a $500,000 Land and Water Conservation grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The grant will be submitted in November but official approval will not be confirmed until November 2026. If approved, construction would not break ground until 2027.
