Where in Union? {June 9}

Do "think" you know where in Union one can find this graffiti? If so, you could win a pack of yummalicious cupcakes from Sweet Designs by Mandi!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the cupcakes. You may comment on this blog post or on the Facebook picture.

Hint: Take a stroll through city-owned spots to find this sign.

Veterans Memorial Park {Part 6 - Playgrounds, the Memorial, and Cost}

There is nothing like the feeling of flying through the air. No matter your age, flying down a slide or swinging through the air is a thrill and a rush.

Union has 4 playgrounds for families to enjoy:

1. City Park on Park Street
2. Clark Vitt Memorial Park on Clark Vitt Drive
3. Hoffert Park on Hoffert Street, behind Shop-n-Save Pharmacy
4. the little park on College Meadows Drive

There are pavilions, restrooms, and family picnic shelters are the first 2 parks, the larger ones. The second 2 parks only have a family shelter besides the playground equipment.

If you look at the map, you will notice that if a family who lives in St. Andrews (the largest subdivision in not only Franklin County, but the surrounding counties), wants to go to the playground, the nearest park would be College Meadows Drive. The other 3 parks are completely across town.

The growth of Union on the east side has exploded in the past decade, and the new Veterans Memorial Park would fill the need for additional playgrounds for the 3,000 new residents (numbers based on the 2000 and 2010 censuses).

The new east park is tentatively planned to have 3 playgrounds, 3 swing sets, and a splash pad, in addition to sports fields, walking trails, conservation areas, and a fishing lake.

And...the park will contain a Disabled Veterans Memorial. A memorial that will honor the men and women who have served our country so that we have the freedoms we love.


Some major numbers have been estimated for building this amazing park, and those numbers are staggering...millions and millions of dollars. However, the park will not cost near what the estimation is, according to the Parks Department and the Missourian.


Why? Because the numbers are based on St. Louis costs, not based on using local contractors. The number also doesn't figure in the federal grants that are available to help us build the new Veterans Memorial Park.


But why not go for the grants first? Good question!


The Parks Department cannot apply for grants until there is a financial plan to build the park. The grant money will not be given unless the community is committed to building the park. And passing a tiny sales tax says that we are committed to continuing the growth of our community with the Veterans Memorial Park is exactly what the grant granters are looking for.


***
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.

Voting will only be held at the Union City Hall Auditorium, 500 East Locust, Union, from 6am to 7pm. The Union Parks Department may be reached at 636-583-8471.

Missed the previous posts? Here they are:
{Part 5 - Football}
{Part 4 - Trails and Lakes}
{Part 3 - Soccer}
{Part 2 - Pavilions}
{Part 1 - Baseball}

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

Author: Tyann Marcink
Photo: Marcink Designs

Veterans Memorial Park {Part 5 - Football}

The Union High School football team has been trampling area teams the past couple years, and part of that may be due to the strong junior league in town.

"Our youth sports programs feed into the high school programs. Union High School has had a good run of successful sports teams which I believe is due in part to the hard work and dedication of those involved in youth sports," stated Jeff Watson, President of the Union Wildcats Junior Football League. "It’s a source of pride in our community."

Team sports teach important life skills to children, and the junior football league is all about teaching the young men skills.

According to Watson, Union Wildcats Junior Football League will have approximately 200 participants in the 2012 football season on 8 teams for kids in grades 3rd through 8th.

Last year, there were 7 teams...with 5 teams practicing on one field at the middle school and 2 other teams practicing on baseball fields. Just a little crowded...

The high school allows the use of their field for games, but in the event of heavy rain, the high school field cannot be used...and that can be detrimental to the Union program. Last year, when the Union team had earned a home playoff game, the game was moved to Washington because of heavy rain. Union still had to pay the referees, but Washington collected the gate receipts and concessions.

Photo used with permission

Watson added that an additional venue for games and practices for the football league would be very beneficial to the football program as well as the baseball program. The Union fall baseball league is growing, but the field space is limited with fall baseball and football running at the same time. By having enough football practice facilities, more fields are freed up for fall baseball to be able to expand.

***


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 $12 hanging basket from Platt's Nursery - 6 cents extra
• on a $27 knife from a Pampered Chef consultant - 14 cents extra
• on a $95 stack of college class supplies at the ECC Bookstore - 48 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 4 - Trails and Lakes}
{Part 3 - Soccer}
{Part 2 - Pavilions}
{Part 1 - Baseball}

Just one more post to go on the 43.8 acre proposed Veterans Memorial Park...playgrounds.

Author: Tyann Marcink

Where in Union? {June 1}

Do you know where in Union one can find this Kiwanis International logo? If so, you could win a For the Love of the Game fine art photographic 8x10 print from Marcink Designs - your choice of the St. Louis Cardinals or the St. Louis Blues. What a perfect gift for Dad for Father's Day coming up...{wink}.

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the fine art print. You may comment on this blog post or on the Facebook picture.

Hint: Don't forget about Founder's Day at the Union City Park on Saturday and the Proposition Park vote on Tuesday at the City Hall Auditorium. You may want to take the weekend to check out the various city park areas this weekend.