Gillham Park Spraypark Design

Thanks to everyone who attended the recent meeting about the spraypark design. Based upon questions at the meeting, we wanted to send out some background information.  First, funding for the spraypark is being independently sought by Hyde Park Neighborhood Association (HPNA) through Kansas City's PIAC program.  This is a program completely independent of Parks' budget and the funds can only be used for the project in the application.  So, if we receive funding to build the spraypark, that funding is in no way a diversion of funds from other Parks maintenance or activities.

Second, folks asked about the history of the Gillham Park Master Plan, which is the impetus for the spraypark.  Attached is the Gillham Road Improvement Project ("GRIP")2003 Report to the Parks Department Development Committee (click link). It was a very intensive three year process that involved numerous events, individuals, and input from all five neighborhoods that border Gillham Road. Every effort was made to provide opportunities for all residents to express their opinions in person, through US mail, and through emails. The Gillham Road 2005 Master Plan was the outcome of the GRIP effort in partnership with the Parks Planning Department. The 2005 Master Plan was presented to the neighborhood through HPNA newsletter, website, and a general meeting. HPNA approved the 2005 Master Plan and communicated that to the Parks and Recreation Director in February 2005.  The 2005 Master Plan was approved by the Board of Parks and Recreation Department Commissioners. 

The Report and Master Plan have guided improvements over the last 10 years to Gillham Road totaling over $600,000 including the new playground and reconstructed stone stairs; bush honeysuckle removal by neighborhood volunteers and over 250 Home Depot volunteers two years in a row; over 50 new trees; resurfaced jogging trail donated; additional turf maintenance south of 39th Street provided by local  foundation; additional turf maintenance north of 39th street provided by neighborhood donor; donated landscaping around Eagle Scout Memorial; and donated funds for upgrading and maintenance of the Eagle Scout fountain. Most of this was made possible because the community had a plan built upon extensive resident input and labors with the support of the Parks Department Planning and maintenance crew. 

Gillham Park Concept 1
Gillham Park Concept 2

Winter Weather Safety Tips

Winter walking safety – prevent falls

• Concentrate on what you are doing while you are doing it.
• Be aware of your surroundings – Always watch for hazards and dangers such as ice on steps, sidewalks, and pathways, snow and water puddles.
• Walk flat-footed.
• Don’t rush. Move at a speed that feels comfortable and shorten the length of your step. Give yourself lots of time to get where you are going.
• Keep your weight over your feet; avoid reaching or twisting when walking. Keep one hand free for your balance.
• Be especially careful getting on and off buses and getting in and out of cars.
• Wear boots with traction and a low wide heel – not smooth leather soles or high heels.
• If you have them, wear ice grippers on footwear to help prevent falls on ice and snow. Make sure you can attach and remove them from your boots before purchasing.
• Outdoor stairs and entrances need to be sanded or salted during the winter and free of ice and snow.

Winter driving – prevent crashes

• Before you drive, clean all snow and ice off your windows, headlights and taillights. Be sure your windshield wipers and defroster are working.
• When driving on snow or ice, start slowly and smoothly. If you start to spin, try clearing a path by driving backwards and forwards a few times. If that does not help, spread some abrasive material like salt, sand or cat litter around your wheels. Your wheels may throw up gravel or ice and cause an injury.
• Try to get the feel for the road. Gently brake while driving to see how slippery the road is and then set your speed for the road conditions.
• Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
• If you want to slow down or stop, apply the brakes gently and smoothly. Slamming on your brakes will cause you to skid. On slippery surfaces, pump the brakes by gently pushing down and letting up on them several time. If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes refer to the owner’s manual.
• Beware of bridges and overpasses; they will freeze and become slippery before other parts of the road. Even on clear roads, icy patches may still exist.
• Do not use your four wheel drive on ice! Four wheel drives can easily overturn on ice.
• If you hit an icy patch, take your foot OFF the accelerator. If you feel you must touch your brakes, first shift your car into neutral. This will help you slow or stop more quickly on slick pavement.

Downed power lines – prevent electrocution

• If you find a downed power line, assume that it is “live” and dangerous. Stay away and keep others away as well. Call Kansas City Power & Light toll free at 1-888-LIGHT-KC (1-888-544-4852) or your local utility to report it.
• Be watchful for fallen power lines which have contacted metal fences, backyard gym sets and other structures. They can become conductors of electricity and the slightest touch can injure or even kill. Stay away from them.
• If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not attempt to escape. Use your cell phone to call for help or wait for help to arrive. If you must escape, jump from the vehicle being careful to avoid touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
• If you have a generator, plug appliances directly into it and turn the main breaker in your fuse box “off.” Back up generation fed directly into your household circuits can injure linemen working to restore your service.
• Finally, before you begin clearing away fallen trees and debris, make sure no fallen lines are hidden underneath.

Physical stress – prevent heart attacks or strokesMore people die in winter cold waves than in any other weather hazards. Cold weather itself — without any exercise — puts an extra strain on your heart. Heavy exertion — like shoveling snow, pushing a car, or even walking fast in cold weather–increases your chances for a heart attack or stroke. In cold weather, also watch for signs of hypothermia, which is when the body gets too cold, especially in elderly people.

Visit southmoreland.org for more information on SNA, and to become a member.  

Time to renew your SNA Membership.

Just a friendly reminder from your Southmoreland Neighborhood Association that it is time to renew your membership. Our membership year runs from January 1 through December 31. Annual dues are $25 per residence for individuals/families, $10 for seniors (65 and older), $10 for students and $55 for businesses. 

What do you get for your membership? The majority of our funds go toward our security patrol which is manned by off-duty SWAT officers. In addition, SNA continues to advocate for improved neighborhood and police services. SNA also provides brush and large item dumpster days, neighborhood mixers and an annual neighborhood party. 

You may join or renew using PayPal through our website at www.southmoreland.org or by sending a check to: 

         Southmoreland Neighborhood Association 
         P.O. Box 10127 
         Kansas City, MO 64171 

Please include the membership/renewal form from our website with your check. We also encourage any additional contributions you would like to make to our security patrol fund. The more funding we have, the more hours the patrol will be able to be present in the neighborhood. Also, don’t forget the holiday party on December 9 at Simpson House. You will be able to renew your membership there as well. 

Thank you for your contribution to our neighborhood!

Visit southmoreland.org for more information on SNA, and to become a member.  

Trash pickup delayed, City offices closed Jan. 18

In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 18, curbside trash and recycling collection will be delayed one day and City of Kansas City, Mo., offices, including the 3-1-1 Action Center, will be closed.
 
Residents who usually have Monday collection will receive this service Tuesday, Jan. 19. Residents who usually have Friday collection will receive this service Saturday, Jan 23.
 
For more information about solid waste collection services, visit http://www.kcmo.gov/trash or call the 311 Call Center, a division of the City Manager’s Office, at 311 or 816-513-1313. 

Visit southmoreland.org for more information, and to become a member.  
 

How to get rid of that Christmas tree

Natural Christmas trees can be recycled at the City’s three leaf and brush drop-off centers at 11660 North Main Street, 1815 North Chouteau Trafficway and 10301 Raytown Road. The North Chouteau Trafficway and North Main Street sites are open Mondays thru Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Raytown site is open on Saturdays only. All trees must be free of all lights, tinsels and other decorations. There is a $5.00 tree recycling fee from Mondays to Fridays. Tree recycling is free for Kansas City residents on Saturdays only. Proof of residency is required.