DRY WEATHER HELPS MOVE PARKS PROJECTS

Now that the weather is more cooperative, Cape Girardeau's Parks and Recreation Department will be able to proceed with some projects stalled by last month's frequent rains.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board May 13 endorsed a plan to add summer sand volleyball to the activities available at Arena Park. At the meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Dan Muser said he expected the volleyball courts to be constructed "within a week."

But incessant May rains prevented the parks department from working on the courts and Muser said Monday the work still hasn't been done.

The volleyball courts will be built adjacent to the Arena Park tennis courts between Rodney and Optimist drives.

"The volleyball courts, basically, have been put on hold because of the weather," Muser said. "But I think the weather is such now that we can do it."

The Parks and Recreation Department plans to form a volleyball league this summer, pending the completion of the courts.

Other parks projects now being done include work to "open up" the track area at Arena Park, rewiring of several Arena Park shelters and installation of electrical pedestals in the west end of Arena Park.

Muser said city crews are pouring a concrete sidewalk from the concession stand in the track area at Arena Park to the parking area. He said a section of chain link fence in the area also will be removed to better open the track area to public access.

He said two of the Arena shelters already have been rewired, but that three still need to be done. He said the electrical pedestals will be installed in the west end of the park to serve ball fields in that area.

The pedestals were installed throughout the park to eliminate some of the overhead wiring at Arena Park.

Muser also reported Monday on some of the upcoming parks and recreation activities and events. He said a youth fishing derby, tennis tournament and track and field meet all are scheduled for June.

Advisory board member Jay Crosnoe also reported that work is scheduled to begin today to install 40 new lights at Capaha Park's main ball field.