STE. GENEVIEVE – The Ste. Genevieve Parks and Recreation Board is considering the construction of a ‘splash pad’ on the city’s north side.
According to the minutes of the July 28 meeting of the board, the board is considering a location at the Khoury Field on North Third Street across from the existing dog park.
The city has a 100-year lease with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to use the property for the Khoury Field.
The Rotary Club has pledged $25,000 matching funds for a splash pad project. The jets of the splash pad have three different heads with different settings. The board also discussed the size of splash pads, flooding and elevation issues.
John Karel stressed the importance of maintenance and suggested looking into a maintenance contract.
Chairperson Roth discussed oversizing the pump so it could handle additional water features in the future. The board also discussed a bathroom with a septic tank with a changing room verses renting porta potties.
Lauren Smothers discussed having an alternative location for the splash pad if the Khoury Field becomes unavailable. The old nursing home site at Matthews Drive and North Fourth Street (White Sands Road) was discussed as a possibility.
The complete minutes of the July 28th meeting:
Ste. Genevieve Parks & Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes
July 28, 2025
6:30 p.m.
City Hall at 165 S. Fourth St
Meeting called order at 6:30 p.m. by Gary Roth.
Roll Call: Present: Gary Roth, Shelly Schmelzle, Lauren Smothers, Mark Buchheit, John Karel, Barbara Basler-Peterson, Samer Zoughaib and Alderperson Amie Dobbs.
Also Present: Happy Welch, and David Woods.
Absent:
Approval of Agenda : 1st Shelly Schmelzle, 2nd Amie Dobbs, All Ayes.
Approval of Minutes – June 23rd, 2025: 1st Samer Zoughaib, 2nd Lauren Smothers, All Ayes.
Public Works Report: Corey Litterst submitted a written report (attached).
Samer Zoughaib and Lauren Smothers brought up the need for water fountains at Dave Pinkly and the Skate Park.
OLD BUSINESS
Master Plan – Committee Reports:
Fundraising Committee – Barbara Basler-Peterson discussed the Hayride for the Christmas Walk. It was popular last year and can be expanded this second year. Basler-Peterson proposed using two wagons this year and running from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. She calculates needing 24 bales of straw / hay and serving hot chocolate and cookies. The wagons should have lights, and one should be decorated and be in the actual parade. They will check with Annette Rolfe for that possibility and being in the program guide. Basler-Peterson suggested Christmas trees and inflatables at the Main Street Park and advertising on Facebook. She has a route planned out and the board discussed ways to increase decorations along the route. This is a fund-raising opportunity through donations that would go to park renovations.
Trail Committee – Happy Welch reported that Dave Pinkly Park entry trail will be done soon and then work will move to the Valle Springs Park trail.
Playground Committee – Chairperson Roth reported that Kendra will be doing a final inspection soon of the playground equipment installed at Pere Marquette Park.
Bathroom Committee – Happy Welch had nothing to report.
NEW BUSINESS
BUDGET – Revenue & Expenditure Approval.
The board inquired about the 100-year lease we have with the VFW for Khoury Field. The Rotary Club has pledged $25,000 matching funds for a splash pad project. The jets of the splash pad have three different heads with different settings. The board also discussed the size of splash pads, flooding and elevation issues. John Karel stressed the importance of maintenance and suggested looking into a maintenance contract. Chairperson Roth discussed oversizing the pump so it could handle additional water features in the future. The board also discussed a bathroom with a septic tank with a changing room verses renting porta potties. Lauren Smothers discussed having an alternative location for the splash pad if Khoury Field becomes unavailable. The old nursing home was discussed as a possibility.
Chairperson Roth discussed Dedicating the Linden Tree to Al Kaiser and showed the board an example of an aluminum sign as an example. The board discussed content for the sign and standardizing signs.
Chairman Roth inquired as to when the split-rail fence that was donated to the board will be installed at the park entrance to complement the new trees and bushes.
Shirley Klump informed Happy Welch that she has a friend who has volunteer red bud trees that she is offering to give us. John Karel discussed the nature of red bud trees and said groupings of three would be ideal.
Happy Welch reported that another family had reached out about a memorial bench at Pere Marquette Park and he quoted them the cost.
OTHER BUSINESS
Adjourn at 7:32 p.m. 1st Samer Zoughaib, 2nd, Barbara Basler-Peterson, All Ayes.
Next scheduled meeting is on Monday, August 25th, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.
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David B. Woods