PARKVILLE, Mo. — English Landing Park, the popular 68-acre, riverfront park in Parkville is reopening after flood waters shut it down last summer.
The playground area, ball diamonds and portions of the walking trail have been blocked off to visitors for several months, but now many who use the park are thrilled that it is reopening at last.
“We moved here out of St. Louis and I found this little special place and I walked it quite a bit last year. So, I’m back to walk it again,” said Doyle Oliver.
Residents and city officials, along with local Girl Scouts and EPA Region 7 staff, held a tree planting ceremony Thursday at the park, which lost approximately 100 trees during last year’s flooding along the Missouri River.
Parkville Mayor Gerry Richardson, Parkville Mayor-elect Jim Brooks and Adam Zink, Chairman of Parkville’s Community Land and Recreation Board, were there for the event to symbolize the rebirth of the park and to mark an early celebration of Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 27) later in the month.
EPA is supporting the replanting of trees at this urban park because of the many benefits trees provide, such as helping to prevent erosion by anchoring soils and keeping excess sediment out of the Missouri River.
English Landing Park is a 68-acre facility featuring three miles of walking trails, a large playground area, boat ramp, picnic shelters, a disc-golf course, baseball and soccer fields. The park also hosts several annual community events, including Parkville Days, Taste of Parkville, Parktoberfest, July 4th fireworks display, Turkey Trot and Christmas on the River.
