Park projects in Cape, Jackson grab headlines

One of the key lures to attracting potential residents and businesses to an area is how well it ranks on the live-work-play scale -- as in stable, attractive neighborhoods; an affordable cost of living; plentiful job opportunities; safe, high-achieving schools; decent shopping choices; adequate health care; and, most of all, plenty of things to do.

Just lately, Cape Girardeau County has scored big in that last category with added amenities at two prominent, well-traveled parks.

City employees in Cape Girardeau recently unveiled Capaha Park's newly completed playground and pavilion that were many months -- although some might say years -- in the making.

The playground has two sections, one for kids younger than 6 and the other for children up to 12 years old, all complete with a colorful nature theme.

The sections are overlooked by the pavilion, which sits at one of the park's entrances off West End Boulevard. All of the above are on the former location of a public pool that was demolished in 2011 and are part of a continuing plan to revamp the park a section at a time.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Jackson, a Holiday Extravaganza is being introduced at the city park. It's a new and improved lights show organizers hope will become a destination for visitors near and far.

"We want for people, when you think holidays, you think Jackson," said Angelia Thomas in a recent Southeast Missourian article.

The display will run from the entrance to the park on the pool side, along Hubble Creek, with a special canopy of lights over the park's footbridge. The exhibit will open with a celebration the day after Thanksgiving from 5 to 7 p.m. with horse-drawn carriage rides, food and a visit from Jackson firefighters.

Another celebration is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12, featuring choo-choo train rides for children, caroling and a visit from Santa. The display also will be open until New Year's Eve, and plans are in the works to bring it back for the next two winters as well.

"We plan on expanding every year. This is phase one, and we hope to start lighting up different parts of the park each year as well," Thomas told a reporter. "Until you can see it from space, hopefully."

It's good to see such progress happening in our parks, which are a reflection of our community.