PARK SHELTER WILL BE NAMED AFTER HUCKSTEP

The newest, largest shelter at Cape Girardeau County parks will be named in honor of the man who helped develop the parks.

The Cape Girardeau County Commission approved a resolution Monday to name the shelter the Gene E. Huckstep Pavilion.

The recommendation to honor Huckstep came from the County Park Board. Max Stovall said it was one way to say thank you to Huckstep for his work.

The pavilion under construction will hold up to 200 people and will be 50 by 60 feet. It is being built in the North Park near the tennis courts.

Huckstep served as Cape Girardeau County's presiding commissioner for 16 years, from 1979 to 1994. He died Wednesday after an extended illness. He was 69.

Listed among Huckstep's many accomplishments was continued development of the county park system.