Kearney Receives Grant for Hall Park

The City of Kearney announced that it is one step closer to building another park. Hall Park, a park designed for Kearney’s senior community, will become a long-awaited reality.

Kearney’s Hall Park project was selected as one of the Land and Water Conservation grant recipients for 2023. 51 agencies applied for Land and Water Conservation Fund grants through the Missouri State Parks, a division of the Department of Natural Resources.

The future Hall park site is located at the NE corner of 92 and Prospect Street

“This project has been in the works since 2012, when Gary Hall donated the property of his parents to the city for a park, specifically geared towards our senior population,” reads a post on the city’s Facebook page. “The city applied for the $500,000 grant in 2022, which required a $500,000 match. Thanks to the citizens approving the use tax for police, pets, parks and pathways, we were able to fund the $500,000 match.”

The city thanked the Hall family for such a generous donation that will benefit residents and the Parks and Recreation Department for their work in securing the grant.

The future park site is located at the NE corner of 92 and Prospect Street. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2025.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Parks Department Now Hosting Pickleball Camps

Now Kearney area youth can get in on the pickleball mania. The Kearney Parks and Recreation Department is now offering pickleball camps this summer.

Kearney Parks and Recreation is offering youth pickleball camps this summer. The camps are designed to teach the fundamentals of pickleball, including the rules of the game, the different parts of the court, serving, scoring and basic shots used in a game.

Participants will need to supply their own paddle, a water bottle, and proper court shoes. Water will be available at the courts to fill bottles as needed and there is also a restroom onsite. For paddle and shoe recommendations along with other questions, contact Joe Landewee at KearneyPickleball@gmail.com

There will be two daily sessions per age group and daily sessions will run 1 hour in length for 5 days. The cost for the camp is $125 per participant.

Camp 1: (6-8yrs): Monday, July 22 - Friday, July 26

Camp 2: (9-11yrs): Monday, July 29 - Friday, August 2

Camp 3: (12-14yrs): Monday, August 5 - Friday, August 9

Camp 4: (15-18yrs): Monday, August 12 - Friday, August 16

Daily Sessions:

8:00 am - 9:00 am

9:30 am - 10:30 am

To register for youth pickleball camp, visit KearneyParks.com.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Fall Recreation Leagues Now Open

Fall sports leagues are now available through the Kearney Parks and Recreation Department. These programs emphasize safe, fun, and instructional recreation.

Three youth leagues are now available to the public.

Flag Football

Low-contact youth flag football is great for kids to familiarize themselves with the game of football in a fun and challenging way.

All teams play a minimum of 6 games. Games tentatively scheduled to start August 19.

Kearney Parks and Recreation will provide a jersey and a mouthpiece for each player. Parents are responsible for shoes, socks, shorts/pants, etc. Registration: $95.

Soccer

Recreation youth soccer is designed to get kids familiarized and involved in soccer through fun and engaging activities and games. This league is a great way for kids to develop motor and social skills all while having a blast.

Teams practice 1-2 times per week. Six games will be played on Saturdays beginning in September.

Kearney Parks and Recreation will provide a jersey. Parents/Guardians will need to provide shoes, shorts, socks, and shin guards. Registration: $95.

Volleyball

Youth volleyball is an excellent way for kids to have fun and make new friends while learning the game.

All teams will play a minimum of 6 games. Games tentatively scheduled to start mid-September.

Kearney Parks and Recreation will provide a jersey for each player. Parents are responsible for shoes, socks, shorts/pants, etc. Registration: $90.

Scholarships available for those in need. Complete confidentiality is maintained throughout the process. Contact Ryan Marcotte at 816-903-4730 for more information. For more information on equipment required, fees and deadlines, and online registration, go to KearneyParks.com.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.