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City
Park System The mission of Murray-Calloway County Parks and Recreation is to provide opportunities in leisure and recreational activities in safe and educational environments; to conserve natural resources; and to provide facilities, services and parks that enhance the quality of life of individuals, families and the community, while preserving aesthetic values in our community and maintaining a commitment to excellence in customer service and satisfaction. This mission is brought about by providing the community with activities and beautiful parks to utilize at all times of the year. Brad Steele, the Park Director, believes that the community has made this a priority, and that is why improvements have continually been made. "This community told us that the parks provide a vitality to the area and that we need to make continuous improvements to the parks and activities surrounding the parks," says Steele. One of these improvements has been through a new amphitheater. The Park Board hosted a ribbon cutting for the amphitheater in fall 2003. Park amenities include a swimming complex; nine baseball/softball fields; Bee Creek Soccer Complex, with a total of 12 fields; 10 pavilions; seven basketball goals; 3.5 miles of nature trails; eight playgrounds; four historical buildings; a BMX Track; Playhouse in the Park; and the new amphitheatre. "We have just received a grant that will assist us in the renovation of the entire pool area in addition to some improvements to the Bee Creek Soccer Complex," says Steele. "Our board and our community are certainly committed to continuous improvement." The original Murray City Park consisted of 20 acres of land. In 1963, the Murray Planning Committee stated that the park needed to expand and add a swimming pool. After this decision, they set a goal to acquire land by 1968. The purchase was finally made in 1973, when the Calloway County Fiscal Court purchased 99.5 acres for the Calloway County Park. In 1975, the city of Murray, in a joint effort with the county, obtained the land with the help of a Bureau of Outdoor Recreation grant of $750,000. The Murray-Calloway County Park System consists of five parks and 144 acres. "The Murray-Calloway County Park is a valuable asset to residents in this community," says Steele. "The park enhances the quality of life here and provides a place to create family unity. It also stimulates youth development and increases social interaction." "The economy benefits from it as well," Steele continues. "Each year, thousands of visitors travel to the park for various activities, and the tourists that the events attract help boost the local economy." Lasting memories are made at the Murray-Calloway County Park. For
more information on the park system and dates of activities, you can
contact Brad Steele at 270-762-0325.
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