Q&A Jodie Adams, Director, Springfield-Greene County Parks Department

Adams: We're going to be … getting into the new properties we've been able to acquire through the parks' quarter-cent sales tax. There will be soft openings (throughout the year). For example, Valley Water Mill has trails open. We're hoping we can open Rutledge Wilson Park with a holiday celebration. We are also going to be opening a new comfort station with pavilion area and restrooms at Nathanael Greene Park.

SBJ: What is the funding breakdown for Park Board operations?

Adams: We get $10 million a year. Five million (dollars) is for capital projects and $5 million is for operations and maintenance. Over five years, there is $50 million of projects that the voters have approved. We're in our fourth year.

SBJ: What is the outlook for funding?

Adams: There will be another referendum. An eighth-cent (sales tax) will sunset in 2007 and an eighth will stay on indefinitely for operation and maintenance. We come back to the voters every five years on the Vision 20/20 plan. We will ask for a renewal of the eighth-cent and an eighth-cent addition. (If approved), an eighth-cent would stay on indefinitely for operation and maintenance and an eighth-cent would sunset again (in 2012). We are focusing on an August ballot.

SBJ: And the projects it would fund?

Adams: We would renovate facilities and preserve the historical aspect, but we will also look at new facilities. We really need to address the lake system because we do have some lake erosion, some preservation that needs to be done to some waterway walls that have crumbled. We would be adding that to this referendum. And of course, we would be looking at recreation facilities, more trails and open space.”

SBJ: You were promoted to director this month. As you step into your new role, what are your goals for 2006?

Adams: Continuing the implementation of Vision 20/20 with the parks, open space and greenways plan. It's exciting to see all the people that are taking advantage of what they voted on. … Our goal is to make sure we finish all the projects we can.

Another real focus is to preserve a lot of our historical areas. One good example would be the Doling Museum that will open this year.

SBJ: Your predecessor, Dan Kinney, speaks very highly of you. What's the most important thing you learned from him in the 27 years you worked together?

Adams: Dan taught me balance, from the standpoint of always making sure you preserve your past. Not only are you building for the future, but don't ever forget where you came from. This park system will be 100 years old as a board in 2013. We actually had our first parks - Washington and Lafayette - open in 1869. So, you've got a very established park system, and you don't want to lose where you came from.

He just always impressed on me that all parks and all programs and all the participants are important. He always shared with us a passion for parks. There was no doubt what type of business we were in; (we are) providing quality of life.

SBJ: Will he be missed?

Adams: It's hard to get used to him not walking in here every day. He's our number one cheerleader out there. We still work on projects together … but he's on the citizen volunteer end - just a supporter of parks now.

He just did a really great job here. He's left quite a legacy. When your park system goes from 33 parks to 88 parks under a director, that's pretty phenomenal.

SBJ: What's on tap for sports?

Adams: We're going to have Missouri state high school championships again in both tennis and golf, the Missouri State Soccer Cup Championship, a soccer exchange with our sister city Tlaquepaque, (Mexico), a United States Tennis Association national 12-and Under championship, and we just received an Amateur Softball Association girls national championship that will be held in August.

2006 Projects

o Rutledge-Wilson Park, a 200-acre demonstration farm near Sunshine and West Bypass

o Lost Hill, hiking trail and naturalist programs north of Hillcrest High School

o Lake Springfield Park, north shore project with City Utilities near Evans Road and Highway 65

o Valley Water Mill Park, 150 acres, featuring an equestrian center and trails, near Interstate 44 and Glenstone

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