P&G BOOSTS PARKS FUND $75,000

The Cape Girardeau Parks Development Foundation capital campaign received a $15,000 boost this week from the Procter & Gamble Fund.

In presenting the check, P&G pledged similar checks the next four years.

The pledge of $75,000 is 10 percent of the total goal for the foundation, said Jackie Todd, former P&G employee and former park board member.

"This shows P&G's commitment to the betterment of our area parks," Todd said.

The money is being raised for the parks department's share in developing Shawnee Park off South West End Boulevard and Osage Park along North Kingshighway near Mount Auburn Road.

P&G's contribution is a "tremendous boost to the campaign," said Dan Muser, director of the parks and recreation department. "It goes a long way toward helping us meet our goal of $750,000."

The $75,000 pledge over five years is the largest received since the campaign kicked off in June. The campaign already has commitments of more than $250,000, Muser said.

Muser said the parks foundation started the campaign to fill the gap between what the parks department has and the estimated cost of the development for Shawnee and Osage parks.

The exact amount is expected to exceed $3.8 million but won't be known until more bids are sought on the project, Muser said.

An architect's estimate for the development of both parks has been around $4.5 million.

Much groundwork has already been completed at Shawnee Park where soccer and softball fields are being built, Muser said. A concession stand will probably be bid next spring.

Plans for a 34,000-square-foot community center at Osage Park are expected to be completed within two months, Muser said. In addition, the Cape LaCroix hiking and biking trail will run through the park.

Some of the larger contributors have been J.C. Penney, $20,000; St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital, $12,500 each; Southeast Missouri Bank, $10,000; and Boatmen's Banks of Cape Girardeau, $25,000.