Crestwood Park Board Meeting – June 17, 2025

The Park Board of the City of Crestwood met on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM in the Aldermanic Chambers. The meeting covered public comments on a prairie restoration project, approval of minutes, staff updates, and new business including playground replacement, land acquisition for flood-prone properties, and a permit system for golf carts in parks.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the April 15, 2025 meeting were approved with a correction to the date of the next meeting (changed from August 19 to June 17, 2025). Motion by Lisa Bozdeck, seconded by Brian Koscielski, passed by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Six residents from Yorkshire Estates Drive addressed the board regarding the planned prairie restoration (Back to Nature project) at Crestwood Park. Speakers included Dave Callaway, Allison Braun, John Caston, Kelly Callaway, and Ben Eyermann (all opposed to the planting directly behind their homes), and Angie Weber (conservation consultant for the city, who spoke in support of the project).
• Opposition concerns: Loss of direct park access; tall grass (4–5 feet) attracting wildlife (snakes, mice, bees) and creating a safety hazard for children; potential property value decrease; disc golf players trespassing and crossing into yards; lack of prior notification to current residents. Multiple residents stated that the six affected homes were all in opposition.
• Support position: Angie Weber explained that the project uses low-growing species (max 4–5 feet), includes a 4-foot mowed buffer along property lines and concrete paths, and that disc golf fairways will have 10-foot mowed buffers. She noted the project is part of a comprehensive 7-acre habitat restoration funded by the Missouri Department of Conservation, with public outreach conducted since 2022 via signage, volunteer events, and social media. She offered to meet with residents to address concerns and adjust the plan.
• Some residents threatened legal action if the project proceeds as designed. The board acknowledged the comments but could not discuss the item as it was not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

• Aldermanic Report (Jim Zavist): Sappington House log cabin rebuild progress; traffic calming on Liggett; groundbreaking for the new community center; change in Board of Aldermen membership (Alderman Kennedy term ended, replaced by Megan Gadallah); public hearing on Crestwood Crossing Southeast outlots (potential gas station at Watson Road); appointments to boards and commissions approved.

• Staff Report (Eilien Ramirez, Director of Parks and Recreation):

  • Community center groundbreaking occurred; dirt moving began.
  • Whitecliff bridge reopened April 23; Crestwood Park playground grand opening May 6.
  • Sand volleyball court being relocated near tennis courts (delayed due to sand delivery issues).
  • Sculpture on the Move: second sculpture installed at Rayburn Park.
  • Quarry restroom project delayed: prefab not yet completed; grant extension needed due to St. Louis County permit holdup.
  • Back to Nature (prairie restoration) spraying expected to start next week.
  • Upcoming events: Kids Triathlon (June 29), Playhouse summer shows, Nerf Wars (June 20), Movie Night at Quarry (June 20, 21+), Aquatic Center movie night (July 25), Christmas in July (July 24–26), Concert in the Park (August 8).
  • New staff: Mike Donovan (arborist) and Davin Butler (fitness coordinator with master’s in kinesiology, hired to develop fitness programs for the new community center).

• New Business:

  • Spellman Park Playground: Eilien Ramirez presented inspection findings showing the small playground (ages 2–5) has high-priority safety issues (rust, bent metal, cracking decks, slides no longer functional). Cost to replace the small playground is $25,000–$35,000; savings from the sand volleyball court project (originally budgeted $50,000 but being done in-house for ~$20,000) could cover it. The larger playground (ages 5–12) needs replacement but would be deferred to capital project planning. Motion to initiate replacement of the small playground using available savings, with public input through a board display and vote, passed unanimously.
  • Sanders Park Land Acquisition: Discussion only. Three flood-prone properties along Sanders Drive have been purchased (two closed, one pending) using $800,000 from MSD. The city plans to demolish the homes and convert the land to park space (overseed initially, then potentially a natural area to mitigate stormwater). Staff will apply for a St. Louis County Parks Municipal Grant (up to $465,000) for land acquisition. No formal motion needed.
  • Golf Carts in Parks: Debate on whether to allow golf carts on trails for event rentals (notably at the Quarry pavilion). Staff recommended a permit system limited to rentals at the Quarry (Whitecliff Park), requiring driver’s license, insurance, and a fee (undetermined). Board members differed on whether to charge a fee ($25 vs. free), but agreed to recommend a permit system to the Board of Aldermen without specifying the fee, and limited to Whitecliff Park only. Motion by Tim O’Neil, seconded by Brian Koscielski, passed.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved with date correction.
• Spellman Park Playground: Motion passed to replace the small playground (ages 2–5) using savings from the sand volleyball court project; public voting options will be presented. Large playground replacement deferred to capital improvement process.
• Sanders Park Land Acquisition: Staff directed to apply for St. Louis County Parks Municipal Grant for land acquisition; no further action required.
• Golf Carts in Parks: Motion passed to recommend a permit system to the Board of Aldermen for golf carts at Whitecliff Park (Quarry only), limited to rentals, with the fee to be determined by the aldermen.
• Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 8:16 PM passed; next meeting scheduled for August 19, 2025 at Government Center Chambers.