Parks & Recreation
Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs

Philips Park History and Dedication

Property Acquisition

Photo of Philips Lake before donation The City of Columbia purchased 77 acres of the former E. M. Philips farm in October 2004. Based on the purchase agreement approved by the City Council, the 63-acre lake area was donated by Bristol Lake Investments, LLC on December 30, 2005. Acceptance of the donated property was contingent upon the completion of improvements that included raising the dam for the lake, improving the spillway, dredging part of the lake to make it deeper and removing silt. These improvements were designed to make the lake suitable for a regional stormwater facility and a public recreational facility.

City Opens Philips Lake

The completion and acceptance of Bristol Parkway as a public road made public access to the property possible. Consequently, Philips Lake officially opened to the public for fishing July 18, 2008. (see press release).

Partnership with Missouri Department of Conservation

The lake was added to list of Columbia lakes under MDC's Community Assistance Program (CAP). Under this program MDC manages and stocks Philips Lake with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.

The City of Columbia also obtained a grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation in the amount of $157,500 for park development in support of a fishing lake, which included the construction of an entrance road, parking lot, boat ramp, boat dock, restrooms, sidewalk, and lighting. The development in accord with this grant was considered Phase I of the park development. In addition to the MDC funded items, a 1.44 mile gravel lake trail was also constructed as part of Phase I.

Park Planned as Part of New Regional Park

Philips Park was master planned in conjunction with the the Gans Creek Recreation Area (formerly known as the Crane property), for the development of a southeast regional park. The master plan for both parks was approved by the City Council at the May 3, 2010 Council Meeting. The parks will be developed over many years, similar to Cosmo Park, as priorities are established and funding becomes available.

See "Philips Park - Capital Improvement Projects" for any further development occurring after the park dedication.

Park Dedication & Fishing Derby

Date: May 21, 2011
Dedication Program

A nice group gathered on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 9:30am for the dedication of A. Perry Philips Park in spite of forecasted rain, high school graduations, and other community activities scheduled that day. Mike Hood, Director of Parks and Recreation; Mayor Bob McDavid; Paul Calvert, Fisheries Field Operations Chief for the Missouri Department of Conservation; and Ward Six Council Member Barbara Hoppe addressed the audience.

Park Dedication Photos - May 21, 2011

The park dedication was held in conjunction with a Fishing Derby hosted by Parks and Recreation and sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation and Bass Pro Shop. The Missouri Department of Conservation provided fishing poles and bait for derby participants, and Bass Pro Shop provided gift cards for the derby winners. Forty people participated in the Fishing Derby and a total of 24 fish were caught. Fishing competition was held in two age categories: 10 and under AND 11 to adult. Below are a list and photo of the fishing derby winners.

10 and Under			11 to Adult
Category	Winner	Size	Category	Winner	Size
First fish	Seth Wray	NA	First fish	Ankun Guo	NA
Shortest fish	Dalton Collins	4"	Shortest fish	Joe Deters	5.5"
Longest Fish	Brendan Deters	7.25"	Longest Fish	Maya Logan	16"