Historic Capaha Park sports a new look in playground, pavilion

An old Cape Girardeau Park has a new look.

Parks and recreation department employees and volunteers gathered Friday with a group of city officials and park users at Capaha Park to celebrate the completion of a new playground and pavilion.

The playground is divided into two sections -- one suited for those younger than 6, and the other geared toward children up to 12 years old. Each piece of equipment -- from the dragonfly teeter-totter to the climbing rock -- was designed with a nature theme in mind, incorporating other favorite outdoor amenities such as the Mississippi River.

Overlooking the playground is the large pavilion, accessible from the West End Boulevard entrance.

Until its demolition in 2011, the area was the location of the Capaha Pool.

Marsha Williamson pushes her granddaughter, Nora Bullock on the swings at the new playground at Capaha Park on Friday in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Looking at the area now, "you would not even know that pool existed anymore," said parks and recreation director Julia Thompson.

Mayor Harry Rediger said Cape Girardeau's parks system is one of the city's greatest assets. Capaha Park is the anchor of that system, he said, hosting summer band concerts, serving as a launching point for parades and host of the summer performances by the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band.

"There's a lot of history here," Rediger said. "I say that because Capaha has gotten to be old, gotten to be tired, and we're doing something about that."

The new playground equipment and pavilion is a small taste of what's to come at the park.

St. Louis-based SWT Design worked with the parks and recreation department to create the Capaha Park Master Plan. The plan was completed about two years ago.

Thompson recognized Carrie Coyne and Jay Wohlschlaeger of SWT Design for their work on the design of the new playground and future projects.

Coyne said creating a master plan is the best way to consider the needs of the whole park and how each project fits. Looking at the big picture was a key element in the design of the playground.

"The way this plan works, each of the spaces fit together and lay in with the existing contours of the park," she said. "We didn't want to force it and plop a playground down in the same location just because that's where the old one was."

Improved access, lighting and additional seating also were addressed.

Six phases are included in the master plan. The playground and pavilion were in the first phase. The second would include a splash pad in the same area.

About $400,000 was set aside for the newly completed Phase 1 projects, funded through the 2008 voter-approved parks and recreation and stormwater tax.

Coyne, who has worked with municipalities across the state and beyond, said she found the Cape Girardeau park project unique because of the department's work to maximize its budget and partner with the community.

Volunteers from the local craftsman union were recognized at the Friday ribbon cutting for their efforts in the construction of the 50-by-30-foot pavilion. Parks officials said their work allowed the department's crews to focus on the playground and other park needs.

Making each dollar stretch is important, because the phases will be completed on an "as funding is available" basis. But those involved believe the plan is off to a good start.

"This is a great [project] to start with," Wohlschlaeger said. "With this one complete, there are other opportunities to move forward with."

The city has taken small steps toward realizing its next big plans for the park. In July, the Capaha Park band shell was renamed the Dan Cotner Amphitheatre, in honor of the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band's most-tenured member.

The municipal band has been playing at the band shell since 1957. Band members and supporters helped raise the money to build it at no cost to the city, according to reports at the time.

The switch from band shell to amphitheater is a nod to the city's plans for an update. Designers envision that corner of the park would have improved parking and access, new seating and improved landscaping and lighting.

As for the pond, which sits between the band shell and the new playground, it also would be spruced up. Improvements to the layout and stormwater infrastructure are a few of the ideas.

One of the final phases of the plan addresses Capaha Field, including new "green" lighting technology, improved spectator seating and a "fan deck."

Thompson has said the department is hopeful funds will become available for these projects in the near future through grants, sponsorships or the renewal of the parks and stormwater and recreation sales tax.

A portion of the half-cent sales tax will sunset in 2018 unless voters renew it.

Plans continue to move Capaha Park forward, but Thompson said some favorite attractions will remain. Dinky, the train engine, will stay, addressing concerns she said were expressed by many park visitors. The popular disc golf course also remains, though it could be rerouted.

"I know people have a lot of very, very fond memories here, and we hope that, starting today, we can create some new ones," Thompson said.

srinehart@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Broadway and West End Boulevard, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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Capaha Park Master Plan

Projects outlined in the plan:

• A design for a new spray/splash pad.
• New parking lot for the amphitheater, new park entryway off Broadway and Perry Avenue, improved seating and access for the band shell, new lighting and possibly public art and interpretive signage.
• Improvements to the Capaha Park pond layout, banks and stormwater infrastructure, as well as pathways, seating, pavilion and restrooms.
• Improved landscaping, parking and access on both ends of the park from Liberty Corner to the Rose Garden, as well as additional pavilions, picnic areas and pathways.
• Replacing old lights at Capaha Field with new *"green*" lighting technology, a new screenboard, improved spectator seating and a *"fan deck,*" a Central Pavilion, restroom and concession stand.