Red Star playground removed after city inspectors find it broken

Southeast Missourian

Red Star neighborhood no longer has a playground on North Main Street.  City crews took down the structure Friday. Parks and recreation director Julia Thompson says there were some broken pieces that could have been vandalized. Its future remains indefinite. Nearby was one of the early community gardens tended by master gardener Robert Harris. He proposed the construction of playground equipment a little more than six years ago, after he became involved in the Red Star garden. Thompson said any future involvement by the parks department depends on the actions of the neighborhood and the city council. This area was not considered a city park. The city has been looking into possible recreational opportunities in the Red Star neighborhood, although not specifically on the corner where the playground stood. The adopted 2015-2020 Capital Improvements Program includes a $2.5 million project in the “Red Star Recreation Area.” The proposed project includes an RV park, boat ramp and recreational dock, playgrounds, trails and community space. The project is on the back burner because the city has not yet identified a possible funding source.