Welcome to the city of St Joseph's weekly digital newsletter. City Link is your source for timely and relevant information from your local government.
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Riverwalk Clean Up

The portion of the Riverwalk Trail that connects the downtown Riverfront Park and Remington Nature Center has reopened following last year's flooding of the Missouri River. This area of the trail provides an accessible leisure or multi-level exercise opportunity for residents and outdoor enthusiasts.

The entire 15-acre area was breached by floodwaters which left behind an estimated 132,000 cubic yards of silt and sand material that has not yet been completely repaired. Working under a permit issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, staff has carefully and methodically excavated and reshaped the area in efforts to restore it to pre-flood conditions. 

Even though restoration work continues, visitors have access to 1.5 miles of the walking trail. The parking lots at the downtown Riverfront Park and Remington Nature Center are open and available for public use to access the trail. The portion of the trail leading from the casino north to Heritage Park remains closed due to damaged portions of the levee the walking trail sits on.
Controlling Mosquitos at Home

The combination of the warmer temperatures and rainy days impacting the area can make it easier for mosquitoes to multiply quickly and become a nuisance. Just like any pests, there are preventive measures people can take now to help control the population. During #NationalMosquitoWeek, there are several preventive steps to take including making sure to remove any sources of standing water on your property, maintain treatment of pools and water features and make sure to keep your gutters cleared.

Considerations for Youth Sports and COVID-19

As some communities begin to start youth sports activities again, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the following considerations for ways to protect players, families and communities while helping slow the spread of the coronavirus. The risk of COVID-19 spread increases in youth sports settings as follows:
  • Lowest Risk: Skill-building drills at home 
  • Increasing Risk: Team-based practice
  • More Risk: Within-team competition
  • Highest Risk: Full competition between teams

The way sports are played and the way equipment is shared can influence the spread of COVID-19 among players. When assessing the risk, consider:
  • Physical closeness of players 
  • Length of time players are close to each other or the coaching staff 
  • Amount of necessary touching of shared equipment and gear 
  • Age of the player 
  • Size of the team 
  • Nonessential visitors, spectators and volunteers 
  • Travel outside of the local community

It's important to promote behaviors that help reduce the spread of COVID-19:
  • Stay home when sick or if you have been around others who are sick.
  • Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol before and after practices and games. Also before and after sharing equipment.
  • Keep six feet of space between everyone, including when in the dugout or sidelines.
  • Coaches, parents, fans, officials and sports staff should wear cloth face coverings. Don’t touch your face covering. If you do, clean your hands.
  • Parents, coaches and sports administrators should decide if kids need to wear cloth face coverings. It's most important to wear cloth face coverings when it is difficult to keep six feet of space between people.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. 
  • Don’t spit.
  • Bring your own equipment, such as gloves and bats, if possible.
  • Don’t share towels, clothing or any items used to wipe your face or hands.
  • Keep your belongings, such as your gym bag and equipment, separated from others when not in use.
  • Avoid physical contact like high fives, handshakes, fist bumps and hugs.

For more information, visit the CDC's website.
Celebrating National Parks Month

Since 1985, July has been celebrated across the country as National Parks and Recreation Month to promote the importance of parks and recreation... read more
Fireworks Display

Celebrate Independence Day this year by enjoying the city's annual fireworks display. The show will start 15 minutes after dark on July 4, from Wyeth Hill, with a viewing location in the parking lot of the Remington Nature Center. After the show is over, traffic will be directed to exit from both lanes along MacArthur Drive to help spectators leave more efficiently. 
(816) 271-5300