Cub Scouts Clean up the Park Creek

Recently, the Osage District Boy Scout Order of the Arrow Chapter and Cub Pack 442 cleaned up the creek in the City Park. The scouts and other volunteers cleaned from the bridge at the Jaycee Fairgrounds to the tennis courts, including from the bridge at the Union Swimplex also.

According to Valerie Howland, pack 442, the boys climbed down into the stream to haul out several bags of trash.  Everything from candy wrappers and soda bottles to a large piece of siding, a bicycle pedal, and metal rods were fished from the water.


While there is not much water in the stream currently, the tadpoles, crayfish, and other animals that call the creek home now have a cleaner environment to live in. 

Cub Scout Pack 442 is open to all boys in the area who are entering 1st through 5th grade. Sign ups will be held September 13th at 6 pm at Central Elementary. Note that there are also Cub Scout packs at both Beaufort Elementary and Immaculate Conception Schools as well.

Article and photos submitted by Valerie Howland.

Veterans Memorial Park {Part 4 - Trails and Lakes}

It's a proven fact that exercise is good for you. We all know that, right? And our town of Union has made great efforts to help us to get off our laurels and get moving.

Beginning at the Union City Park, the city has established 3 routes for walking, running, and biking. Each route is color coded and clearly marked for ease of use. And on top of that, there are even exercise stations along the routes.

The marked trails begin at the Union City Park.

Color coded signs mark the different trail routes.

The walking trails wind through town, over steep hills, through the park system, and around the city lake. What would the new Veterans Memorial Park add to this excellent system? Well, how about trails for the east side of town. Currently, the trail system is only on the west side of Union and towards the downtown area.

The new trails would also be much more forgiving in elevation. The field-like area doesn't have the steep hills like the west end of town.

The trail around the lake is great exercise for those with 2 or 4 feet.

The Veterans Memorial Park would include natural wetlands, or a lake, as well. There are many fishermen in the area, and the city lake can be crowded on a balmy weekend. The parks department also hosts a fishing derby each year that is a big hit with families.

Family fishing time

Fishing is relaxing

On Tuesday, June 5th, Proposition Parks will be the only item on a special ballot. A "yes" vote will be for a .5% additional sales tax, making the tax rate 8.975%. The revenue from this tax is solely for the parks department, and cannot be used for anything else, according to the city website.

What does that amount translate to?

• on a $10 prescription from Walgreens - 0 cents extra
• on a $30 pedi/mani at L'Nails - 0 cents extra
• on a  $75 tank fill up at Mobil - 0 cents extra

Voting will only be held at the Union City Hall Auditorium, 500 East Locust, Union. However, voters may also cast an absentee ballot beforehand if they will not be able to vote on June 5th. The Union Parks Department may be reached at 636-583-8471.

Missed the previous posts? Here they are:

{Part 3 - Soccer}

{Part 2 - Pavilions}

{Part 1 - Baseball}

Up next: more on the other areas of the 43.8 acre Veterans Memorial Park...playgrounds and football fields.


Author: Tyann Marcink
Photos: Marcink Designs