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SIMPSON PARK NEWS

The Hunt is On!

The annual Easter egg hunt was held Saturday, April 9, 2011, in Simpson Park as young children scoured the grounds for the 4,000 Easter eggs - 50 containing $1 coins, and one in each age group, a grand prize ticket. The Easter egg hunt is sponsored annually by the Chillicothe Parks and Recreation and Grand River Area Family YMCA and lasts only minutes as hordes of eager children race through looking for the brightly colored plastic shells.

C-T Photo / Drew Van Dyke
CT 04 11 11

Festival of Lights Come On
Event held Saturday, November 20, 2010

Taken at dusk, this festive ornament welcomes one and all to the Festival of Lights in Simpson Park. The annual display runs from November 20 to January 1. The Festival of Lights committee works with the Chillicothe Parks Department, Chillicothe Municipal Utilities, and numerous volunteers to install the lights and decorations.

C-T Photo / Amanda McKay, 11/19/10

SHAFFER PARK NEWS

Work at Shaffer Park Begins
C-T 05/24/10

Work at June Shaffer Memorial Park has switched into high gear with the opening Mudcats home game set for Saturday, June 5. According to Chillicothe Parks and Recreation workers, the work has been slowed by recent rainy weather. Also, in related news, the Chillicothe City Council voted on May 17, 2010 to close the park on game days to prepare for the home games and keep people off the infield.

CLAY STREET PARK NEWS

Chillicothe Plants Tree in Clay Street Park for Arbor Day
Constitution-Tribune, September 23, 2010

In recognition of Arbor Day, proclaimed today (Thursday, Sept. 23) by Chillicothe Mayor Pro Tem Darrel Rinehart Jr., at last Thursday's city council meeting, a tree was planted today at Clay Street Park. Pictured from left to right: Josh Norris, Chillicothe Parks Department; councilman Paul Howard; city administrator, Dean Brookshier; CACE students helping with planting, John Hughes, Dakota Cranmer, Natalie Baugher and Amanda Kiser; Councilman Sid Cornell; and Councilman Tom Douglas.

C-T Photo/Amanda McKay

Clay Street News' Archives
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DANNER PARK NEWS

Local dignitaries and community members gathered on the north side of Danner Memorial Park on Arbor Day, Wednesday, May 18, 2011, to commemorate the planting of five trees, courtesy of the Crime Victims' Rights Committee of Chillicothe Correctional Center.

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley / 05/19/11

A number of individuals were present for a brief ceremony led by Chillicothe Mayor Chuck Haney. Among those present were representatives of the Department of Corrections, Chillicothe City Council, Crime Victims' Rights Committee, Park and Tree Advisory Board, Chillicothe Parks and Recreation, and members of the public. Chillicothe is one of 77 communities in Missouri that is designated as a Tree City USA. Through donations from the Crime Victims' Rights Committee, the city's parks department was able to purchase and plant two peach trees, two flowering cherry trees, an autumn blaze maple and a Japanese maple. The newly-planted trees are part of the Crime Victims' memorial area at the park as well as other locations identified on the park's tree plan.

GRAVESVILLE PARK NEWS

On the Edge
Monday, August 30, 2010

Chillicothe Parks and Recreation Department workers perform some edging work on a new sidewalk lining the west side of Gravesville Park this morning. They and some workers from the city's street department poured half of the planned 300-foot sidewalk before 10 a.m. The remaining portion of the sidewalk will be poured later in the week.

C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

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AQUATIC CENTER NEWS

Chilli Bay Water Park, the $4.2 million aquatic center in Simpson Park, opened Friday afternoon, June 7, 2013. The park welcomed guests for a grand opening event on Saturday, June 8, with a public open house held Wednesday, June 12.

C-T Photo / Austin Buckner

The water park is divided into age-appropriate zones. In the zero-depth entry pool, there is a children's slide and spray feature as well as a low-angle family slide. In another pool is a log roll, a rock-climbing wall, a high diving board and a low diving board. There are also two more slides: a high-speed enclosed tubular slide, and an inner tube slide leading into the lazy river. The water park has lots of shade and some underwater bench seating. The facility has an island theme with Tiki huts, Tiki-like carvings, surf boards and palm trees. The facility is being paid for through an existing capital improvements sales tax. The last major pool renovation took place in 1993. At the water park's busiest times, there will be 21 lifeguards, 18 of whom are on deck at all times. For more photos and information, visit the city's website for all the new water park news.

Aquatic Center Sets a closing date of August 21, 2012
First Time Special Late Night Swim Offered

The Chillicothe Aquatic Center will be closing early this season in preparation for the new water park. The last day of the swimming season will be Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Parks Director Josh Norris said that this year with the new water park on the horizon, they are trying to save costs any way they can and that next year would go back to closing on Labor Day. There are several maintenance checks that need to be completed before construction is started, and timing is important. Once the pool is closed, Norris said they will begin winterizing and doing the things necessary to make sure the construction is started on time.

There will be a "Back to School Late Night Swim" this year which is something new to the Aquatic Center. The night swim will be held on Monday, August 20 from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and is targeted at middle school to high school aged teens, but is open to all. Individuals can enter the late night swim for two dollars. There will be stadium lights brought in on generators to light the swimming areas and pool deck. Norris says, "We are trying some new events and programs, also, we plan on having different offerings for next year at the new water park. Late night swimming is one of those events and this will give us a good idea of what to expect from the attendance as well as give the public one last hurrah before we close for the season."

New Pool On Its Way - See complete news' story and follow progress on the city's website...
March 20, 2012

C-T Photo / Drew Van Dyke

Contractors interested in designing a new water park for Chillicothe were at the aquatic center Tuesday to learn more about the city's plan for a major pool upgrade. Project specifics have yet to be determined; however, at this time, the city would like to see a plan that turns the pool into a theme park-like area, including such things as water slides, a lazy river, sprayground, zero-depth entry pool, water sports pool, water toys and play system, submerged seating and, possibly, diving boards. The design proposals are expected to include demolition of the existing pool facility, with the possible exception of the current showers and office area. Proposals are due by April 17. The city has allotted approximately $2 million for the project. City Administrator Ike Holland said that he would like for the project to commence with groundbreaking by Fall 2012, be finished by Spring 2013, and for the park to be open by the 2013 swimming season. Expansion of the area is possible to the north and east.

Major Renovation Planned for Pool
March 16, 2012 Amanda McKay / CT

The Chillicothe Aquatics Center currently includes a lap pool, two water slides, diving boards, a wade pool and a baby pool. The new plan would call for water slides, a lazy river, sprayground, zero-depth entry pool, water sports pool, water toys and play system, sunbathing area, sun shades, submerged seating, and possible diving boards. Preliminary work is being done for major renovations at Chillicothe's aquatic center and construction could start as early as this fall after the swimming pool closes for the season.

No definite timeline has been identified, but money is being earmarked in the city's 2012-13 budget to start on a project that is roughly estimated to cost around $2 million. The pool's last renovation was 20 years ago.

The city has already issued a request for proposals for design services at the aquatic center and all parties interested in submitting proposals must attend a walk-through of the existing facility and an informational meeting with city officials next Tuesday.

Project specifics have yet to be determined, but Chillicothe Mayor Chuck Haney said the city will conduct public meetings to gather input about what features are desired for the renovated water park. The advertisement for design services states that the desired features should include water slides, a lazy river, sprayground, zero-depth entry pool, water sports pool, water toys and play system, sunbathing area, sun shades, submerged seating, and possibly diving boards. The request for proposals also states that a lap pool is not wanted. Proposals are due no later than April 17.

Total cost for the project has yet to be identified; however, the city plans to set aside $365,000 in the upcoming budget, which is expected to be passed before March 30. This earmark for a pool renovation is the largest line item on the proposed expenditures for the city's capital improvement sales tax.

Learning to Float
06/16/11

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

Young swimmers enjoy learning how to float during swimming lessons at the Chillicothe Aquatic Center. Lessons for this session began on Tuesday and will continue through next week. Two more sessions will be held this summer: from July 5 through July 16, and from July 26 through Aug. 6.

Cooling Off on a Hot Day
Constitution-Tribune, Friday, July 23, 2010

C-T Photo/ Laura Schuler

Just minutes after the Chillicothe Aquatic Center opened this morning, children cool off in the umbrella fountain at the pool. The intense heat wave has caused an increase in the number of people using the facility. Officials say 357 people were there yesterday and just as many were expected today.

Preparing for the Season
Constitution-Tribune, Tuesday, April 13, 2010

C-T Photo/ Laura Schuler

With the opening of the Chillicothe Aquatic Center now weeks away, Pam Thieme, pool manager, works today on cleaning debris from the pool’s gutters. Before the pool opens, she says, the bath house will be repainted and the slides will be waxed. The pool will be filled three weeks prior to the pool's opening and lifeguards are scheduled to be trained the week before the pool opens on Memorial Day.

City Council Approves List of Seasonal Employees
April 4, 2011 CT

Chillicothe City Council members approved the list of seasonal employees when they met in executive session following their regular council meeting last week. The approved list, as recommended by Josh Norris, director of Parks and Recreation, is as follows:

Groundskeepers: Alex Singleton, Blake Stephens, Cheyenne Bannan, Eric Hughes, Daniel Nowland.

Mowing Crew: Mark Hopper, Jim Radel, Cody Bannan.

Concessions: Margie Albertson, Chelsea Sturguess, Maura Sturguess, Savannah Sturguess, Addie Stottlemyer, Ashiah St. Onge, Darien Lame, Kelsey Baker, Jacob McKiddy, Shantel Cooper, Libby Kline, Sarah Frampton, Drew Hinton, Crysten Lollar, Erin Gilliland, Megan Dominique, Jackson Haney, Echo Followwill, Juleah Littrell.

Lifeguards: Michael Lewis, Michelle Bevelle, Quincy Bevelle, Hunter Keller, Elliott Keller, McKansie Garber, Josh Rockhold, Kale Thieme, Dillon Harp, Trevor O’Banion, Laine Saunders, Joshua Thieme, David Hershberger, Samantha Walsh, Maycee Hoover, Austin Busse, Jacob Lewis, Rachel Barlow, Nick Plummer, Carley Anderson, Marshelle Johnston, Erin White, Connor Lindley, Blake Rasmussen, Quinten Lewis, Madi Critten, Sarah Hussey, Madison Williams, Audrey Spencer.

Aquatic Center Lifeguards
C-T Photo/Catherine Stortz-Ripley, May 28, 2010

Norris Named as Parks Director
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The Chillicothe City Council appointed Josh Norris as Parks and Recreation Director, effective immediately, during last night's executive session following the council meeting. Council members voted unanimously.

Noris has been a full-time employee of the City of Chillicothe since July 2008 in the Parks and Recreation Department. He was a seasonal employee prior to this. In Nov. 2010, Norris was appointed Interim Parks Director and had served as Assistant Parks Director. Noris is a lifelong resident of Chillicothe and is a graduate of CHS. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture from Northwest Missouri State University with a minor in coaching. In addition to his experience with the Parks Department, Norris has previously been an assistant coach for the CHS football team.