I’ve lived in Lee’s Summit since 1976, and Lee’s Summit Parks have always been part of the fabric of my life. In fact, when I think back on some of the best memories since that time, a very good percentage has a connection to our parks. How do I love our parks? Let’s count the ways.
While in high school, I loved going to the pool at Harris Park in the summertime where I could see friends and celebrate birthdays. My younger sister taught swimming lessons there, and I sold tickets at the Jackson County Fair at Harris Park, along with my fellow LSHS Tigerettes.
When our two daughters were little, we watched my husband play on the church softball league at Lea McKeighan Park and a second team at Miller J. Fields Park. How we loved those warm summer nights.
During my teaching years at Lee’s Summit High School, I would reserve Summit Park for special end of the school year picnics with my newspaper staff.
As a member of the Lee’s Summit Beautification Commission, we have cleaned up parks all over Lee’s Summit to “Sweep the Summit” each April and plant trees for Arbor Day.
My oldest daughter received a marriage proposal from her husband in Lowenstein Park in 2003. Since that time, she and her sister have blessed us with four grandsons who we love to take to our parks to play. The new Lea McKeighan shows how dedicated our parks department is to improving and repurposing our parks to keep pace with the times.
Most recently, I’ve enjoyed handing out popsicles and cold water with members of our church at the newly remodeled Miller J. Fields splash pad. What a tremendous asset that splash pad is to the community. If the Parks Sales Tax is renewed, we will be receiving more splash pads for our children to enjoy around town.
Many of you who have been around Lee’s Summit for the past 20 or more years may also remember Safety Town. I understand that LS Parks has a new Safety Town on the drawing board.
However, this initiative and many others need our support to become a reality. That’s why we all need to get out and vote YES on Issue 2 for our Parks on Aug. 2. Please mark your calendars and make a commitment to our parks.
Kim Fritchie,
Lee’s Summit, MO
