Webb City King Jack Park Cleanup
By: Shayla Patrick
Updated: November 13, 2012
WEBB CITY, MO.--- Bedah Willson is a King Jack Park regular.
"Oh I come two or three times a week to walk my little doggies," states Bedah Wilson, Carterville Resident.
Lately, she's noticed some changes along her midafternoon walk in the park.
"The EPA has agreed to come in and fill up this mine hole in the front of our King Jack Park," states Tom Reeder, Web City Parks and Recreation Director.
Webb City Parks and Recreation Director Tom Reeder says the shaft has about 60 feet of standing water inside, leaving a 40 foot drop off from ground level.
"Once this area is filled in, everyone in the community will be able to use this area, right now half of our population, if not more can't even get down to the edge of the water," states Reeder.
Before crews dive right in to fill the mine shaft, they must begin here, excavating the land and building roads to better access the project.
"They have started cleaning up some of our Marshy area in the back, the lake itself is a seven acre lake but the cleanup site is going to include a total of 23 acres of land,"states Reeder.
Something residents regard with mixed emotions.
"I wish they didn't have to take down all of the trees, but I understand they have to do that so they can clean the ground up," states Wilson.
"It's always harder to visualize what may be when comparing it to what you actually have, but I think the majority of the community stands behind us in cleaning up this part of our park," states Reeder.
Park leaders say when it's all said and done, having a new and improved park will be a major asset to the city.
"This area here will be the face of our park, it will give the front of our King Jack Park a new look. Our plans at this point in time are to build some pavilion, picnic tables, and to use the front of the park for concerts, fall festivals, and community events." states Reeder.
Once this project is complete residents will still have water in the park. City parks directors plan to widen the existing lake near the back of the park and make it more accessible to residents. The project is expected to be completed within the next 2 years.
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