2020-08-12

2020-2021 Focus on Oak Grove City Guide Page 36 Recreation Frick Park history Frick Park, located at the corner of 12th Street and Cemetery Road, has a long history of support from local citizens. Dr. W. E. Frick, one of the town fathers, originally owned the 32-acre park site on top of the hill. His son donated the land to the city in 1954. When the City of Oak Grove did not have the funds to maintain it, they deeded it to Jackson County. However, Jackson County gave it back to the city, and local groups began working on it. In 1994, the Rotary Club arranged for the installation of playground equipment. The Masonic Lodge built a second barbecue pit. In 1995, members of the Rodeo Club, Saddle Club and Tractor Pullers Association approachedMike Butler, the city administrator, requesting a place for livestock events and tractor pulls. Four lots that had been donated to the city for either park ground or a hospital in exchange for 25 acres adjoining the original Frick Park were traded in November 1996. User groups along with city personnel developed a site plan which laid out the new park ground to include an arena and multipurpose fields. In 1997, The Oak Grove Youth Rodeo Club, Oak Grove Saddle Club, Oak Grove Truck and Tractor Pullers, 4-HClubs along with other volunteers began work to build the facility. The City Council approved a $1,702 budget for lighting and wiring. Donations provided for dirt work, posts, panels and an announcers’ booth. Oak Grove School District allowed the city to borrow bleachers. The first event held in August 1997 in the Frick Park Annex facility was a rodeo in conjunction with the Youth Rodeo Club and the Truck and Tractor Pull. The city grew and instituted a Parks Department. In 2004, the city added a concession stand and restrooms and took responsibility for mowing, upkeep and further development. A sprinkler system was installed for the multipurpose fields. In 2005, the show arena was relocated from Webb Park to Frick Park. The Lions Club added a drinking fountain to the multipurpose field area in 2007. In 2013, Boy Scouts working toward their Eagle Scout Award repaired and painted fences in the park. The Parks and Recreation Department maintains the restroom facilities for the shelter. In April 2018, the city installed new playground equipment recommended for children ages 5-12. Athletic fields on the west side of Frick Park are used for football in the fall and soccer in the spring and fall. 32 years experience JM Plumbing Services 816-565-3416 Licensed & Insured Our productst can be found at Sunrise Market, Bharti Liquor, Valero & The Mixing Bowl Always Fresh. FromOur Table ToYours. www.nadlerscatering.com• www.nadlersmeats.com P.O Box 325 • 5527 Highway 224 • Wellington, MO 64097 p: 816.240.8124 nadlers@aol.com f: 816.934.8405 309 N. Oak Bates City, MO 64011 Office: (816) 690-4611 Fax: (816) 690-7416 S teve & L iSa B aiLey ALL YOUR DIRT WORK OR PIPE WORK NEEDS E-MAIL: lbailey@katexcavation.com Free Estimates