Columbia Parks and Rec hosts groundbreaking for Whitegate Park improvements

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Parks and Recreation held a groundbreaking ceremony for Whitegate Park on Tuesday evening.

The park was approved in May 2023 with construction expected to begin that summer but was later delayed.

"Whenever we have different projects all throughout the city, we schedule them for our own staff to work on projects as well as contractors that work with the City of Columbia," Columbia Parks and Recreation Director Gabe Huffington said. "As we looked at our timeline and when we could start things, Whitegate Park slotted right into the fall start."

According to a City Council memo, the property for the park was purchased for $250,000. The entire project is expected to cost around $400,000 and will be funded by the city's dedicated park sales tax and donations.

According to the City of Columbia's website, the actual project cost is $352,981.12

The park will feature a playground and basketball and handball court. There will also be a pavilion with tables, electricity and a water fountain to be used as a multi-purpose space.

Huffington said construction is set to begin in the late fall before Thanksgiving with crews coming in to begin smoothing and laying the ground for the construction site.

"We will work on projects all throughout the winter with our staff and contractors, so as long as our weather is cooperative and we don't have too much snow and you've got dry conditions, we'll be able to work on different aspects of the project," Huffington said.