MAN HAS A PLAN FOR A BETTER RIVER VIEW: A SHORE THING

By Laura Johnston

Martin Robinson thinks Cape Girardeau should offer a better view of the Mississippi River and he's got just the plan to do it.

Robinson would like the city to develop a walking trail from the overlook at Cape Rock Park down to the city water plant so that people have a better view of the river.

On Monday, he got a chance to show members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board just what he is proposing. The board included a stop at Cape Rock Park on its annual tour.

Robinson first met with the board this summer to propose developing the park. No action was taken then and the board took none Monday.

But Robinson said he's thrilled that the board is listening to his idea and park board members are happy with his enthusiasm and energy.

Robinson thinks the wooded area to the south of the Cape Rock Park overlook could be cleared of underbrush and small trees to make a more beautiful park for tourists and visitors.

"We have a nice river promenade," he said. Robinson just returned from a trip to Oregon where coastline parks and overlooks are promoted. "We could promote our shoreline."

He thinks a path could be cleared so that people could walk from the overlook southward along a ridge to a parking area near the city's water plant. He envisions something like the trail along Mount Auburn Road between St. Francis Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Center.

People like to come out and see the river and now there isn't a clear area to view downtown, he said.

The Parks Department hasn't calculated the cost of clearing out the trees and brush or of creating and maintaining a path, said Director Dan Muser.

While no one questions the merits of Robinson's plan, finding the money to do the work is always a concern, said Jay Knudtson, advisory board chairman.

The board is constantly seeking funds from the City Council to make improvements to existing parks.

Robinson thinks his plan could be a link from the city's park system to the Twin Trees and Audobon Society area on the north side of Cape Rock Park since there isn't any area with a trail and observation point.

"Now we've got woods and we've got a natural area," he said. "We need a park that people can use," Robinson said.

He wouldn't propose any path that leads directly to the river since people can already get a close-up view from Riverfront Park.

Robinson said he will likely speak to council members about his plan at an upcoming meeting.