Winter projects underway for Parks and Rec

Repair work began this week on the roof at the Maryville Aquatic Center.

Following the severe hail storm last year that caused significant damage throughout northwest Missouri, several city facilities were not exempt from the destruction.

Some of the biggest damage occurred at the Aquatic Center, mainly on the large tin roof that covers the bath houses and offices.

Workers from Jason Brown Roofing were out this week replacing the large sheets of tin, and were close to finishing before the expected snow storm moved in Wednesday night.

Maryville Parks and Recreation director Rod Auxier said that the maintenance building at Beal Park, which is adjacent to the Aquatic Center, was significantly damaged as well.

He said that work will be done on the building soon.

The reason for the repair delays involved receiving insurance claim money following the storm.

Parks and recreation also have other plans for this winter to reduce flooding at Judah Park.

The park, which is located on South Frederick, features a walking path that is intersected by Peach Creek.

Notorious for flooding, Peach Creek has eroded roughly one-half of an acre of the park over the years.

Part of the reason for this, Auxier said, is one of the bridges on the walking trail.

"Because of the amount of water that comes down Peach Creek, and the debris that builds up, it floods every time it rains for more than 20 minutes," Auxier said. "That bridge catches everything and it clogs up."

Two tubes channel water under the concrete bridge, but when debris piles up, water cannot flow through and is forced around either side of the bridge.

The department has tried several solutions to the problem, including placing large rocks along the banks of the creek.

But the elemental force of water has found a way, as it always does, and has begun to severely erode the soil behind the rocks, leaving a gap that is close to one foot in width.

To counter the problem, Auxier and the department have begun construction on a new span bridge, just a few feet north of the existing structure.

After it's completion, which Auxier expects to be some time in the spring of 2013, the department believes that debris will be allowed to flow instead of building up in the park and causing the floods.

Once the span is completed and the old bridge is removed, new rocks will be put in place along the banks.

"We think this will make a big difference with the flooding," Auxier said.

He recalled the problems the park had in 1993, when a major flood hit not only the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, but many towns far from major flood plains.