Hannibal Parks and Rec to operate Bear Creek Sports Park

BCSP_logo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Bear Creek Sports Park in Hannibal will soon be under new management.

On Tuesday night, the Hannibal City Council approved a resolution which will allow the privately owned facility to become a part of the Hannibal Parks and Recreation Department.  As part of the agreement the City will acquire the property, all the existing facilities, amenities and debt.

As of September 1, the sports park owes Hannibal National Bank $25,291.61. They also owe $14,024.01 for a John Deere Gator (side by side) which was purchased earlier this year.

Director of Central Services Andy Dorian said the Bear Creek Sports Park Board will give to the city any money left over after their bills are paid. Dorian said he believed they had enough money to cover those expenses.

With the addition of the Sports Park, Hannibal Parks and Recreation will need more help. To that end, council gave second and final reading to an ordinance creating the position of Recreation Supervisor. Bear Creek Sports Park has, for years, hosted youth baseball and softball programs and those will now be under the management of Parks and Recreation and the Recreation Director.

Second and final reading was also given to the ordinance creating an Urban Redevelopment area at a former Best Way Inn Motel at 612 Mark Twain Avenue. The Project Stay Redevelopment Project plan includes a  grant of real property tax abatement limited to fifty percent abatement of real property taxes levied on land and improvements for a maximum duration of fifteen years under Missouri’s Urban Redevelopment Corporations Law.

Work on that project has begun, but Northeast Missouri Economic Development Council Executive Director Corey Mehaffey says it has already seen delays due to shortages of supplies.

Council gave first reading to an ordinance that will allow daycares and home based businesses in all zoning districts.

Also during the meeting, council members heard from the director of 2 Rivers Industries which operates the city’s recycling program.

In his presentation, Justin Barnhart said there have been a number of improvements to the facility on Clinic Road. Barnhart recently took over as Executive Director and said the changes were needed to better serve the community and 2 Rivers’ Employees with Disabilities. Changes include the kinds of items now being accepted for recycling which includes appliances, glass and small equipment like lawn mowers, tillers and weed eaters.

The recycling center will also be open on the last Saturday of every month from 7:30 to noon.

On request from council, Barnhart said he would look into opening on the second Saturday as well. Barnhardt also requested that council place an extension of the $1.90 recycling fee on the November ballot. A vote on that issue was not on the agenda. More information is available on the new and improved website www.2riversind.org.

Miss Clipping Out Stories to Save for Later?

Click the Purchase Story button below to order a print of this story. We will print it for you on matte photo paper to keep forever.

Current Weather

FRI
70°
53°
SAT
66°
47°
SUN
66°
52°
MON
66°
45°
TUE
50°
36°

Trending Stories