FAQ

Parks & Recreation
Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

	Park & Facility Information
Q:	Where does the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department purchase the playground equipment and furniture that is used in City parks?
Q:	What does the City do with old playground equipment?
Q:	Where can I get information on playground safety standards?
Q:	What are city park hours?
Q:	When do I need to fill out a Park Special Use Application?
Q:	What do I do if I lose or find an item in a park?
Q:	Where can I go fishing?
Q:	How are parks planned and developed?
Q:	Where can I ice skate or go sledding?
Q.	Do the golf course hours vary in the winter months?
Q	What is the water quality of the park lakes?
Q.	Stephens Lake Park - Frequently Asked Questions
Q:	What is the water quality of Stephens Lake?
Q	Should we feed the waterfowl at the parks?

	Programs, Activities, Sports, and Events
Q:	Where can I get a copy of Leisure Times activity guide?
Q:	Where do I get information on youth sports?
Q:	How do I register for a program or activity?
Q:	How do I find out if a program is canceled?
Q:	What special events do you offer?

	Reservations
Q:	How do I reserve a shelter?
Q:	Can I get more picnic tables and/or trash cans set out for the shelter I have reserved?
Q:	How do I reserve a birthday party?
Q:	How do I reserve a ball field?

	Miscellaneous
Q:	Where can I get information about the City's free mulch sites?
Q:	Do you sell theme park tickets?
Q:	How can I donate a tree or bench?
Q:	What is your refund policy?

Q: Where does the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department purchase the playground equipment that is used in City parks?
A: Most playground equipment is bid out through the City Purchasing Department to the vendors listed below. They are listed alphabetically. Call for product catalogs.

Burke Premier Play Environments
Distributor: Riggs Recreation Equipment Inc., P. O. Box 6191 Leawood, Kansas City, MO 66206
800-332-4447

GameTime - A Playcore Company
Distributor: Modlin Recreation Equipment, Inc., P. O. Box 50048, Denton TX 76206-0048
800-433-5347; Fax: 940-381-0463

Landscape Structures, Inc.
Distributor: Gateway Recreational Products, Inc., 4949 Caribee Drive, St. Louis, MO 63128
866-416-7529; Fax:314-416-7507

Little Tikes
Distributor: R&R Recreation, 205 W. Terra Ln., O'Fallon, MO
866-LTL-TIKE; Fax: 636/240-2011

Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
Distributor: Custom Play Systems, 320 Winnebago Drive, Lake Winnebago, MO 64034
888-371-7529; Fax: 816-537-8713

Park Structures
Distributor: ABCreative, Inc., 32225 West 88th St., DeSoto, KS 66018
888-222-7529, 913-583-3332; Fax: 913-583-1436; karen@abcreative.net

Playworld Systems
Distributor: Fry & Associates, Inc., 1501 Burlington, Suite 201, North Kansas City, MO 64116
800-444-9787; Fax: 816-221-4831; frysales@fryinc.com

Recreation Creations Inc.
Distributor: Bergfeld Recreation, Inc., 14100 Manchester Rd., Manchester, MO 63011
800-336-9697; Fax: 636-394-4472

Distributor: Reese Recreation Products, 3327 N. Ridge Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004
800-222-2268; Fax: 847-398-1433; www.reeserec.com

Q: What does the City do with old playground equipment?
A: The majority of playground equipment removed from city parks no longer meets safety requirements and cannot be resold.

Q: Where can I get information on playground safety standards?
A: See the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Checklist.

Q: What are city park hours?
A: Unless otherwise noted, the city parks are open from 7 A.M. to 11 P.M. Cosmo Park is open 6 A.M. to 12 midnight, Columbia Skate Park within Cosmo Park is open 6 A.M. to dusk, and Stephens Lake Park is open from 6 A.M. to 11 P.M. Both L.A. Nickell and Lake of the Woods golf courses are open 7 A.M. to dusk, weather permitting.

Q: Where can I get a copy of Leisure Times activity guide?
A: The publication of Columbia Parks and Recreation comes out in April, August, and December. Issues can be found at the Parks and Rec General Offices in the Gentry Building at 1 South 7th, the Parks Management Center at 1507 Business Loop 70 West, the Activity and Recreation Center at 1701 W. Ash, the Daniel Boone Regional Library, and local grocery stores. View on-line copy of Leisure Times.

Q: What do I do if I lose or find an item in a park?
A: Contact the Parks and Recreation Office at 874-7460. Found items can be turned in at either the Parks and Recreation offices at 1 South 7th Street or the Parks Management Center at 1507 Business Loop 70 West 874-7201. If the item was lost at the Rainbow Softball Center, call or check the concession stand at 449-1925.

Q: Where can I get information about the City's free mulch sites?
A: The City's free mulch sites are administered through the Public Works Department. Visit their web page for information on these sites.

Q: How are parks planned and developed?
A: Visit this web page for the answer: Park Planning Steps

Q: Can I get more picnic tables and/or trash cans set out for the shelter I have reserved?
A: No. All the picnic tables and trash cans we have are set out and in use at our shelters. Refuse dumpsters are required for all groups of 200 or more (requires 48 hr. advance notice and additional fee, contact Solid Waste, 874-6291.) Any event attracting 200 or more guests requires a Park Special Use Application.

Q: Where can I ice skate or go sledding?
A: When conditions allow, Stephens Lake will be opened for ice skating. See Ice Skating Safety for more information. Columbia's sled hill is also located at Stephens Lake Park. See Safe Sledding for more information.

Q: Where can I go fishing?
A: See Hunting & Fishing Regulations for Columbia Parks. Also, see Winter Trout Fishing at Cosmo-Bethel Park.

Q: How do I reserve a shelter?
A: Reservations can be made for several shelters in various parks. The shelters are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations will be taken up to 364 days in advance. The fee is either $30 or $40 (depending on shelter size/location) and is required on the date the reservation is made. Shelter reservations may be made over the phone if paid by credit or debit card. For more information or to reserve a shelter, call 573-874-7460 during normal business hours. Click on Picnic Shelter Reservations for more information.

Q: How do I reserve a ball field?
A: Anyone will be permitted to reserve fields for practice where fields are available. Teams must pay for and reserve the fields in advance. Fees are required on the date the reservation is made and are not refundable. If the fields are unplayable due to weather related conditions only, the field reservation can either be rescheduled or a letter of credit will be issued. FIELDS MUST BE RESCHEDULED WITHIN ONE WORKING DAY OF RAINED OUT DATE. You can reserve up to 2 hours maximum, but not 1 1/2 hours. Please call 874-7460 for rate information. See also Softball/Baseball Facilities and Soccer Facilities for rental rates.

Q: How do I find out if a program is canceled?
A: In case of program cancellation, the information will be placed on our hotline at 573-874-7663. Game cancellation decisions will be made at 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and between 6:00-6:30 a.m. for all other sports on the weekend and announced on KOOL, KCMQ, KFRU, KTGR, KFMZ, and KCLR radio stations.

Subscribing to the Parks & Recreation listservs will provide current information about game status or cancellations by sending the subscriber an e-mail message containing specific information.

Three separate listservs are available.

Soccer - Status of games on all Cosmo Park fields.
Youth Baseball/Softball - Status of all Diamond Council games.
Adult Softball - Status of adult league games at Rainbow Softball Center.

You may sign up by visting the WebMail registration page.

Q: Where do I get information on youth sports?
A: See Youth Sports.

Q: How can I donate a tree or bench?
A: Click on this link for information about the Memorial/Heritage Tree and Bench Program.

Q: What types of birthday parties does Parks & Recreation offer?

A: Parks and Recreation offers three locations for birthday party reservations: ARC, Pirates' Landing at Twin Lakes Recreation Area, and Parkade Plaza. Find out more.

Q: How do I register for a program or activity?
A: There are five easy ways to register. Check Leisure Times for program information.

1. On-line: You can now register on-line for most programs and activities. The Parks & Recreation On-line Program Registration System is a simple, secure, and convenient program which allows you to locate recreational activities and register anytime or anywhere a computer with Internet access is available.
2. Walk in: 1 S. Seventh St. - Gentry Building - Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
3. Mail in: Call first to be sure there is available space. This does not guarantee placement in the class activity. A receipt and class information will be sent. You may use your MasterCard or VISA. Include your account number, expiration date, and signature on the mail-in form. Make checks payable to "City of Columbia." Mail registration to: Columbia Parks and Recreation, P. O. Box 6015, Columbia, MO 65205.
4. Phone in: 573-874-7460, TTY 573-874-6395. Phone-in registration will be accepted with your MasterCard or VISA charge cards Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
5. Fax in: Complete registration form and fax to 573-874-7640. MasterCard or VISA only.

Q: What is your refund policy?
A: 1. Refund at the Request of the Participant:

a. If the participant provides a written request for a refund one week prior to the first class, a refund will be granted less a $5 administrative fee. No refunds will be given for $5 or less.

b. If a participant requests a refund less than one week prior to the first class, no refund will be granted.

c. If a participant can not attend or continue a class due to an illness, a refund may be granted if a written request is received AND:

i. A physician's statement of the illness and dates is presented

ii. The request is received no later than 7 days after seeking treatment

iii. A full refund will be granted if the request is received prior to the start of class

iv. A pro-rated refund will be granted for the classes missed due to the illness.

2. Class cancellation by the Parks & Recreation Department - A full refund will be granted in the event a class/activity is cancelled by the Department. The Parks & Recreation Department reserves the right to cancel a class if the minimum program enrollment has not been met two business days before the first class meeting.

For more information regarding refund information, please call the Parks and Recreation office at 573-874-7460 during normal business hours.

Q: What special events do you offer?
A: Earth Day, Tons of Trucks, Kite Festival, Heritage Weekend at Douglass Park, Train Show, Heartland Chautauqua, Mudstock, Heritage Festival, Easter Festival, Holiday Lighting Contest, Columbia Kayak Festival, Halloween Tiger Night of Fun, Fowl Shooting Contest, Christmas at Maplewood, First Night, Columbia Festival of the Arts, and many others. Check the Parks and Recreation Calendar for upcoming events.

Q: Do the golf course hours vary in the winter months?
A: Yes, inclement weather affects whether the golf courses are open and their hours. Please call each golf course for daily hours of operation information. Lake of the Woods Golf Course - (573)474-7011 and L.A. Nickell Golf Course - (573)445-4213.

Q: Should we feed the waterfowl at the parks?
A: No, please do NOT feed the waterfowl. Parks and Recreation is working with the USDA Wildlife Service to protect the health of our park birds and wildlife. Please do not feed the geese or ducks. Feeding these wild animals creates dependence, promotes the spread of disease, and upsets the natural cycles. The birds foul our beaches and parks, pollute our water, and drive away timid species. Thank you for your cooperation.