TWO OF THE CITY’S ‘HIGHEST PRIORITIES’
by Stacy Wiedmaier
Landmark reporter
Platte City residents will no longer have to travel as far to play pickleball — or let their dogs roam off leash — once the city constructs its first pickleball courts and dog park.
Both projects were approved at a recent meeting. The dog park is expected to open before the pickleball courts, which require more extensive construction.
“These projects are two of the board’s highest priorities,” said Bryan Richison, city administrator. “It’s possible we could get a very basic dog park up and running by the end of this year.”
The one-acre dog park will be located within Riverview Park, which is located at 150 W. Mill St.
Richison said the site is well-suited because it already has fencing that can be reused from the ball fields, a water hydrant to provide a drinking fountain for people and dogs and an existing parking lot.
Portable restrooms must be delivered to the site initially, but there are plans to build permanent ones.
The park is also expected to feature a shaded shelter, seating for pet owners and an agility course equipped with tunnels, ramps and weave poles for dogs to maneuver.
County grant funding has already been secured for both projects, with the remaining cost to be included in the city’s upcoming annual budget that takes effect Nov. 1.
The estimated cost to construct the pickleball courts was completed during the grant application in 2023 and listed at $250,000. The city would be responsible for $62,500, while the county grant covers the remaining $187,500.
Likewise, the dog park’s estimated cost was $150,000, with the city responsible for $37,500. Richison said he expects the dog park to cost significantly less than that.
Four pickleball courts are planned for Harrel Ferrel Park. Richison said he hopes the project will go out for bid this winter, with construction beginning next spring.
Jessica Sharp of Platte City said she plays the sport for fun and joked that she is, “not a pickleball pro.”
“I’ve been impatiently waiting for more than two years for courts to be built here, it’s kind of annoying to have to drive to Kansas City or other neighboring cities that are smaller than ours to play,” she said. “I’m excited we’re seeing some progress now.”
Board members debated where the pickleball courts should be located. The city’s parks and rec master plan initially proposed the four courts be constructed at Rising Star Park at 1009 Second Street, but Mayor Amber Brune voiced concerns about noise that had been mentioned at prior meetings in nearby cities. She suggested relocating courts to Riverview Park.
Alderman Dan Laxson said research recommends that courts be placed more than 300 feet from residences and said maybe two courts should be constructed at one city park, while the remaining two could be placed at a different park across town.
Alderman Ken Graham shared his idea that if one of the ball fields at Harrel Ferrel Park was removed on the west side, then all four pickleball courts could be built in that location. Alderman Jesse Bennett agreed that Harrel Ferrel Park “would complement multiple ages of family members to play at the same park versus multiple parks.”
