Planning steps for
Platte Ridge Park moving ahead
by Shana
Haines
Landmark staff
The dream of a park on Hwy. 371 north of Platte City
is nearing reality as master planning continues.
Brian Nowotny, director of Platte County Parks and Recreation,
says planning for Platte Ridge Park is moving along nicely.
Nowotny says that the park's steering committee will
look at the conceptual plans, which will be their first
look at the layout of the park.
Three plans will be looked at by the committee, according
to Nowotny.
The idea of the park is to preserve the natural beauty
of the property, according to Nowotny. However, plans
for the park include ball fields, walking trails and enhancing
ponds already located on the property.
Nowotny also said that it is important to have a safe
entrance to the park from Hwy. 371, so transportation
issues will also be addressed.
It is still uncertain how much money will be forked out
for the park.
"We are going to take a look at some cost estimates,"
Nowotny said.
Considerable funding has been provided for the park from
Platte County's 1/2 cent sales tax for parks. Platte County
Commissioners have given $1.2 million for the park. Platte
City's parks board will put in $200,000 and Platte City
has offered to put in $200,000 for the park.
Nowotny hopes the master planning will be completed by
summer. He anticipates phase I of the park will be completed
by 2004. Nowotny said he hopes phase II and phase III
of the park can be completed with volunteer hours.
The land, purchased by the county in October, had a $750,000
price tag. The property was previously owned by the Jim
Wren family. The land is located on the west side of Hwy.
371 north of Platte City, northwest of the Cedar Ridge
subdivision.
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