Friends of Raytown Parks & Recreation, Inc. joined the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce under the Not-For-Profit Organization category. FORPR was incorporated in 2007 as a non-profit Missouri corporation formed under Charter N00847871 and is not under the governance of the City of Raytown and Raytown Parks & Recreation although organized to create a partnership with the Raytown Parks Board.
Jerry Hinton and Nancy Sheil resigned from the Board. Hinton was one of the original board members and best known for the years he’s managed the Heart of America Softball Leagues at Colman Park. Sheil served in the past on the Raytown Parks Board then joined the Friends of Raytown Parks several years ago. The FORPR Board of Trustees appreciates their many years of service and contribution.
Donna Morgan accepted a position on the Board of Trustees formerly held by Sheil. She is local business owner of Kansas City Tai Chi Kung Fu Center and an artist management service. Before accepting a position on the Board, Morgan agreed to teach a free Tai Chi class at Colman Park to our delight. Her skills also include website design and applications programming that will also be beneficial to our organization.
Friends of Raytown Parks initiated a pilot Tai Chi class that will be offered free to the Raytown community in collaboration with Kansas City Tai Chi Kung Fu Center. This 45 minute class will be conducted on the lawn at the entry of the park. Participants will need to wear comfortable clothing and shoes that provide stability.
What is Tai Chi?
The health effects include strengthening the body’s bone structure, toning the muscles, increasing cardiovascular circulation, and flushing the body’s lymphatic system of toxins. The movements can enhance the body’s blood circulation and metabolism. When practiced properly, Tai Chi Chuan can be an effective form of self-defense.
About the instructor:
Sifu Donna Morgan specializes in Yang Tai Chi for health and relaxation and Chi Kung energy breathing exercises to harmonize mind, body and spirit. Her instructor is Master Scott Winokur, founder of the Midwest Chinese Martial Arts Center and president of the USA Xing Yong Chinese Martial Arts Association (USAXCMA).
Friends of Raytown Parks and Raytown Parks will have a booth to provide seniors with all the recreational services and activities offered by Raytown Parks that can add to their quality of life.
May was established Older Adult Month in the City of Raytown.
Friends of Raytown Parks will hold its first fundraiser with a Flapjack breakfast at Applebee’s in Raytown on April 28 from 7:30am to 9:30am. We have a number of projects in the works and would love to have the support of our community. Show your support and meet the Board. Tickets can be bought at the Raytown Parks office at 5912 Lane Ave, Raytown, MO.
In the past, the Raytown Tree Board has awarded the winner of the annual Tree of the Year contest to a Raytown citizen with an exceptional tree. This year, the Tree Board is recommending a Tree of the Year to plant that will grow easily in our area and has many benefits.
The Tree of the Year for 2012 in Raytown is the Baldcypress, a large deciduous conifer that grows 50′ to 70′ tall and has a 25′ spread. It has fern-like foliage and resembles an evergreen in summer and then turns a coppery bronze color before dropping its foliage in Fall.
The Baldcypress is adaptable to a wide range of wet or dry soils and conditions in our city environments. It prefers acid soils and is easily tranplanted. The baldcypress has no serious insect or disease problems.
Bannister Gardens nursery, at 10001 E. Bannister Road, is helping us promote the Baldcypress as a good tree for planting in Raytown. Owner, Tony Mistretta, is offering a 45% discount without a warranty or a 15% discount with a 1 year 100% warranty replacement on Baldcypress trees purchased during the months of March and April.
To make sure your Baldcypress gets off to a good start, visit our web site, raytowntreeboard.org, where you will find information on correct planting and proper care for your newly planted trees.
This Summer program was cut from the Parks 2012 budget and Friends of Raytown Parks & Recreation, Inc. has committed to continuing the program. Our first movie this season, Kung Foo Panda, is scheduled for May 18, 2012, at Kenagy Park.
We invite sponsors to help cover the movie rental and copyright compliance fees that would range from $350 to $500, depending on the movie title. Sponsors will receive recognition on our website and at each movie event.
Terry Copeland, former president and recording secretary, resigned from the Board of Trustees on Feb. 21, 2012, to accept an appointment to the Raytown Parks Board. Copeland was one of the original board of trustees and served as president from 2008 until 2011, and as recording secretary from 2011 until his resignation. We sincerely appreciate all that was accomplished under his leadership.
The fledgling FORP organization acquired enough funding support to meet the $5000 minimum requirements of establishing a Friends of Raytown Parks fund with fiscal agent, Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Copeland was also instrumental in forming a PAC that launched a city-wide campaign to garner sales tax renewal support in August 2010, thereby ensuring the financial security of Raytown Parks and Recreation.
Bob Smith, former Raytown Parks Board president, has accepted a position on our Board of Trustees, replacing Copeland. Smith represents over 21 years of service on the Raytown Parks Board.
Smith served the last 12 years of his tenure as president. He played a major role in securing $1.4 million in revenue bonds to fund Super Splash USA improvements. Through his leadership, the revenue bonds were retired two and a half years early, saving the city $84,000 in interest.
Under Smith’s leadership as Board President, Raytown Parks received eight grants, both federal and state, totaling more than $1,652,287 to renovate, upgrade and build new parks and facilities. The Parks Department also acquired Rice-Tremonti Home, Henry C. Kritser Park, and the Raytown BMX Track.
Friends of Raytown Parks & Recreation, Inc. (FORPR) launched our new website that includes an event calendar for the benefit of the community. All Raytown Parks activities and events for the coming year have been posted so the community can visually see what Parks has to offer and find out when Parks resources are available or limited due to league schedules.
We also added two beloved annual community events: the SummerFest & BBQ Cookoff, and our Summer Broadway musical, Cinderella. You will also find the Raytown Chamber of Commerce’s events feed in the right side bar.
FORPR is a non-profit organization incorporated in 2007 to create a partnership with the Raytown Parks Board for fund raising and to foster and promote public awareness and support of our parks, open spaces, recreational activities, services and resources.
Public parks contribute greatly to our quality of life. Even in economic downturns, families have a place to go and play, a place where citizens can find solace, enjoy beauty, stay fit, and socialize. When we don’t use them, these oases of green space contribute nevertheless to the health of our environment and a beautifully maintained park will raise the economic value of our community.
Unfortunately, Parks & Recreation departments, locally and across the country, have faced budget cuts over the last few years. We invite the community to support our mission as a member, volunteer or sponsor of our events or programs.
Become a member to get your free season pass to Super Splash USA, free shelter rental and/or free tree from the Trees for Raytown program. We would love to count you as one of our Friends. Please visit our website for more information: www.forpr.org
Community Events Feed Sponsored by Raytown Chamber of CommerceLees Summit, MO
Last Updated on May 20 2012, 8:53 am CDT
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