Phase I of the Steamboat Landing playground at Drake Harbor in Warsaw was completed in October 2022. Afterwards, a survey of the community revealed a desire to enlarge the playground with more age-diverse equipment, plus a new bathroom.
Upon those results being released, Warsaw resident Rick Bibb approached the city about donating a dollar for every dollar donated by the community for the project, with a limit of $300,000 in matching funds.
Organizations, businesses, and individuals are also jumping in to raise funds for Phase II of the playground project, including the Shriner Club, Ozark Disposal Company, Marine Corps League, and the Lions Club. With continued support from the community, it is possible to raise a total of $600,000 or more.
“The design will continue the riverboat theme from Phase I,” said Randy Pogue, City of Warsaw Administrator, who submitted a grant request to Missouri State Parks which resulted in building Phase I of the $226,169 playground.
Pogue elaborated, “Phase II will have over 27 imaginative play activities, highlighted with an impactful color scheme offering a rich partnership with the historic past of Warsaw’s Osage River heritage. It will have the required social behavioral, physical skill, and communal activity development of today’s children. There will be activities in this play area that will help develop agility levels, balancing skills, and core body strengths. Some of the items are a Hover Net with custom spoonbill fish themed climbers, multi person swings, various styles of log climbers and stepping pods, buddy rocker, mini city community helpers log cabin themed playhouse with a fish crawl tunnel, custom boat themed spring rider, custom log/rock themed ADA transfer point, Big Kahuna Bridge/climber, custom mushroom step/climber, and custom frog climber.”
Pogue said that all equipment is combined with bridges, walkways, decks and swings for continuous play as children travel from one activity center to another throughout over 7,500 square feet of play area. There will be a total of 10,000 feet (including the 2,500 feet from Phase I) of outdoor activity for youth and others who are welcome to visit.
Bibb offered to match funds given by the community in the name of his parents Edward and Esther Bibb. He said that he and his family have called the area home for a long time and have really liked what the city has done. Although his parents have passed away, they were always active in the community, and Bibb offered some memories of life with them.
“My parents were originally from Knobby and bought the hotel that is currently owned as a restaurant by the Twelve Tribes when my sister and I were ready to go to high school,” said Bibb. “I remember when we had to back our car up Turkey Hill on Highway 7 because the gas pump didn’t always work if the tank was not full.”
Chuck Allcorn, Market President of Hawthorn Bank, reported that his business had donated $5,000 to help fund Phase II of the playground. He said that Hawthorn Bank is part of the community and needs to be involved.
“I listened to salesmen discussing every piece of equipment that will go into the playground,” said Allcorn. “There are certain muscle groups that each piece of equipment focuses on. We have a lot of community activities at Drake Harbor, and I see kids playing there, including my grandson. This playground will complete our harbor, and give kids exercise in a beautiful place. We already get a lot of compliments on our Christmas Lights, on the Wine Stroll, Jubilee Days and Heritage Days. Sixty donations of $5,000 will add up to $300,000. That amount matched with $300,000 from the Bibb family will give us $600,000 for the playground."
Walmart Manager Craig Dudenhoeffer said that the store had contributed $1,500 to Phase I of the playground. In February, community donations will be decided and he expects the store to be able to offer a donation for Phase II.
“Anytime we can contribute to the community we try to do it,” said Dudenhoeffer. “If there are things such as a playground at Drake Harbor, it is good for kids. I walk at Drake Harbor and see a lot of kids on the equipment. It helps those who do not have playground equipment at home.”
Businesses, organizations, and individuals are invited to make donations towards Phase II of the playground by contacting the City of Warsaw at (660) 438-5522.
