KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Patryla Park may soon have a walking trail added to the park’s master plan.  The Lakes, Parks, and Recreation committee approved a master plan that adds a trail for hikers and walkers.  A few concerns from committee members were the terrain and elevation included in the map of the future trail.  The surface of the trail was also debated because mulch and gravel would probably not work with the steep incline.  The committee decided the best option was simply grass.

“It would connect the Spur Pond side of the park to the baseball field and tennis courts.  One of the benefits might be that the restrooms are up on the ball field so if you were fishing at Spur Pond and you needed to go to the bathroom this would be an easy connection up to the top,” said Community Services Director Melanie Smith.

Smith also updated the committee on the summer season at the Aquatic Center.  She says the American Red Cross has conducted two audits of the lifeguards so far this summer.  Both audits were successfully completed.  Those include testing the lifeguards on CPR, rescues, and making sure the pool has the proper safety equipment.  There will be one more audit before the outdoor pool closes this summer.

The indoor pool officially closed Monday to prepare for a fresh coat of paint.  During that time, the Aquatic Center will open the outdoor pool in the mornings for lap swimming.  They outdoor pool will also be used for aerobics classes.

If you’re visiting the pool over the next several weeks, don’t be surprised if some areas are reserved for exercise.

“That’s why we close off sections of the pool of the outdoor pool when we have a specific use for that.  So we’ll shut down the 5 foot area during aerobics classes.  We would shut down the deep end during swimming lessons and lap swimming.  So you wouldn’t be able to use the diving board if you were there for open swim and we had lap swimming going on,” said Smith.

The special hours will last until the indoor pool is painted.  That should take two to four weeks but it must be done by August 19th.  Smith says the outdoor pool will stay open as long as the indoor pool is closed.  To view the special hours, click here. 

It’s been a very rainy season at North Park.  Many baseball and softball games have been cancelled this spring and summer due to storms and wet fields.  Of course that means revenues are down especially money from concessions.

“We have a pretty short window of time to make that up, not only to make up games but also to make up that revenue.  So obviously concession revenues are going to be down this year,” said Smith.

Smith says they are trying to make up some games and they’re considering a tournament in the fall.  She says they just need some nice days to allow the fields to dry out so they can reschedule the games.