'Pocket
park' proposed for end of Main Street
by Ivan
Foley
Landmark editor
Developing a small park with a picnic area, walking trail
and scenic overview outlook is envisioned by members of
the Platte City Area Development Association (PCADA).
The park would be located at the bottom (west end) of
Platte City's Main Street near the Platte River. PCADA
members say the park would be of historic significance.
The lay of the land will probably not allow for vehicle
traffic or parking in the area, so the park would be accessed
by a stairway built into the current embankment. The picnic
area would be a level space located above flood plain
levels.
From the picnic area, a walking trail would proceed down
along the bluff area between the river and steep embankment
toward the north.
The proposed scenic outlook would be an elevated platform
built on the eastern most bridge abutment and be accessed
by a metal stairway. This outlook would be constructed
similar to the Missouri River overlook located in the
Weston Bend State Park.
Olin Miller presented details of the background of the
property and of the proposal to PCADA members at a luncheon
meeting Monday at the Platte County Grill. Around 25 people—the
most ever to attend a meeting of the less-than-a-year-old
organization—were in attendance.
Mary Ann Brooks and Bill Knighton have also worked on
the project proposal.
Funding help will be sought by applying for an outreach
grant from the Platte County Commission. That grant money
is courtesy of the county's half cent sales tax for parks.
The grant application is due to the county by Feb. 28.
The park would be located on 3.7 acres of private property.
The family owning the property has been receptive to the
idea of either donating the property or leasing it out
at a cost of $1 per year, it was reported by association
members.
In addition to applying for the county grant, assistance
would also be sought from the Platte City Parks and Recreation
Committee. Plans also call to seek help from the Platte
County Historical Society to establish this as an historic
landmark area.
As the plan proceeds, more detailed drawings will be
made and a committee will be formed to determine which
work will be done by volunteers and how much work will
need to be hired.
Also being discussed is the idea of connecting the pocket
park/trail to a potential trail that would run along property
behind the Platte City Cemetery. Mayor Dave Brooks said
he has been in recent discussions with Don Soper, who
owns property near the cemetery, about acquiring that
land, possibly through a donation from Soper.
According to information provided at Monday's meeting
by Miller, the original settlement known as Martinsville
was located on the Platte River between the upper and
lower falls on the river. Founder Zed Martin maintained
a river crossing that allowed settlers and their wagons
to cross the Platte River and continue on the Old Military
Road to the river ford on the Missouri River leading into
Fort Leavenworth.
This ford was located near the present-day Platte River
Bridge. Prior to 1900, a bridge over the Platte River
was built at the west end of Main Street and traveled
across the bottom connecting to the Old Military Road.
Hwy. 71 ran down Main Street and across this bridge.
In the mid-1930s, the first elevated pike running across
the bottoms to Tracy was built. It was the steel truss
bridge which many Platte City residents remember crossing
on Hwy. 92.
The old bridge at the bottom of Main Street was removed
except for the three stone piers.
|
