May is National Water Safety Month: Learn to Swim!
Each year, drowning claims more than 6,500 lives in the U.S. alone. Forty percent of all drowning deaths are children under the age of 5, while another 15 to 20 percent are between 5 and 20 years old. Nearly 9
0 percent of all drowning deaths occur within 10 feet of safety, and more than two-thirds of victims cannot swim. A responsible supervising adult can be identified in 84 percent of toddler drownings, but only 18 percent of these incidents are actually witnessed. A full list of Water Safety Tips is available here on the Website, but here are two very important ones: 1) Know how to swim, and teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible.
2) Maintain constant visual contact with children in a pool or pool area. Always watch your child when he or she is in or near water.
LEARN TO SWIM: The City of Kirkwood’s Parks & Recreation department offers affordable swimming lessons at the Aquatic Center throughout the summer and to all age ranges, including adults. The Spring/Summer Program Guide lists class schedules and costs, or call 822-5855. A full listing of aquatics programs can be found here.
The PARC (Participating at Reduced Costs) & Courtney Shupe Scholarship Programs: The PARC and Shupe Scholarship programs are designed to assist young people, ages 17 and under, whose families or households face economic challenges, in enjoying Kirkwood aquatics’ programs. Call Jason at 822-5856 for information. THE POOL OPENS MAY 26.
Tim Rajchart, Water Department Director, 1953-2012
Tim Rajchart, City of Kirkwood’s Water Department Director, died suddenly on Sunday, April 15, after suffering a heart attack. Tim was 58 years old and had been with the City for 34 years.
Tim began his career with the City of Kirkwood on February 27, 1978, as a meter repair/plant operator. On September 17, 1979, he was promoted to Leadman of Support Services. On December 29, 1986, Tim was promoted to Acting Water Department Director and then to Department Director on April 6, 1987. Tim is survived by his wife Karen, their two daughters, a son-in-law, and one grandchild. Click here for an online obituary.
City Adopts New Strategic Plan
City Council and City department heads embarked on a new strategic planning process early in 2011. After many months of work and research, including a survey of Kirkwood residents, a new Strategic Plan was adopted in December. You can view a copy of it here. City Council wishes to thank all the residents who provided input during this important planning process.
City Removes Bradford Pear Trees Along Adams Avenue
The City of Kirkwood removed a group of Callery pears (Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’), commonly known as Bradford Pear trees, along Adams Avenue, near Kirkwood Park, the week of March 26, 2012. The decision to remove the trees, which was done with the approval of the Kirkwood Park Board, was based on several factors.
Callery Pears have recently been placed on the Missouri Department of Conservation’s list of undesirables due to their ability to cross-pollinate with indigenous plums and cherry trees, creating an invasive cultivar with thorns. The trees along Adams, which may have appeared healthy to the casual observer, were also showing advanced signs of trunk and limb failure, which could potentially result in damage to the new tennis courts in Kirkwood Park, should they break and fall. They also posed a potential risk of injury to tennis players, passing pedestrians, and vehicular traffic.
The trees will be replaced with Bracken’s Brown Beauty southern magnolias, which are 10 to 12 feet in height and a cold-hardy variety. During milder winters, this species will stay green, which should enhance their screening capability during the winter months. Other shrubs and grasses will be added to the landscaping plan in this area as well. Some communities in the region have begun to ban the Callery pear trees in new commercial developments because of their invasive and destructive qualities. For more information about the nature of invasive tree species, or about the Adams Avenue removal, please contact the City’s horticulturalist Peter Laufersweiler at 984-6981. Click here, and/or click here for more information from the Missouri Department of Conservation on invasive tree species.
All-Day Downtown Parking Passes Available: $5
Anyone planning to spend a day in downtown Kirkwood shopping and running errands can now purchase an all-day parking permit at Kirkwood City Hall for $5. The passes can be purchased up to 30 days in advance or on the day you plan to shop. Most downtown off-street, public parking spaces have a two-hour parking limit. The passes can be purchased at the Finance window at City Hall, 139 S. Kirkwood Road, during normal business hours (8:00 a.m., to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).
Avery Park Construction Underway
Starting today, parks’ crews will begin the process of removing invasive species and undesirable trees at the Avery Park site in preparation for construction of the new park. The new site will be cleared of invasive
honeysuckle and euonymus, and because there is an abundance of these two invasive plants, the end result may be dramatic. However, the removal of these plants is necessary for the construction of the park as planned, with neighborhood input. The plants and trees being removed are either hazardous, undesirable species, or both. Questions can be directed to Murray Pounds, Kirkwood Parks and Recreation Director, at 822-5855.
St. Louis County Election Results Posted
Saint Louis County has posted unofficial results for the April 3 election. They are available here. Once results have been verified, incoming Council members and the Mayor will be inaugurated at a special meeting on April 26, at 7:00 p.m., in Council Chambers at City Hall.
Interested in Serving on a City Board or Commission?
The City has volunteer openings on several boards and commissions, and in May the Council will begin filling those slots. If you would like to apply, please click here to access the online Volunteer Profile Form.
Human Rights Commission Announces Essay Winners
The Kirkwood Human Rights Commission has announced its Human Rights Essay winners for 2012. The writing contest was open to high school students who were juniors in the 2011-2012 school year, attending Kirkwood, Vianney or Ursuline High Schools, and any other 11th grade Kirkwood resident. The essay topic this year was: "What is the single most important human rights issue facing your generation in Kirkwood today? How would you resolve it?" This year's winners are: Meredith Bouchein (first place), Sarah Heuermann (second place), Emily Schwegmann (third place), and Eleanor Heinrich (honorable mention). The winning essays can be read here.
Would you like to find a “cause” near your home, where you can contribute time and really help out? Are you a “people person” who enjoys interacting with others, especially individuals who will appreciate an interested listener? If so, you may be interested in a program offered by the Saint Louis County Department of Human Services’ County Older Resident Program (CORP). CORP’s Neighbor Driving Neighbor program matches volunteers with older adults living nearby and needing rides for medical appointments. Here's a press release with more information.
2012 Holiday Schedule Available Here
City Hall and most City offices will be closed on the holidays listed below.
New Year's Day: January 2 (observed)
Martin Luther King's Birthday: January 16
Presidents' Day: February 20
Memorial Day: May 28
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: September 3
Thanksgiving Day: November 22
Day after Thanksgiving: November 23
Christmas Eve: December 24
Christmas Day: December 25
SANITATION HOLIDAYS: Each year, sanitation holidays are determined based on when the landfills are closed. For 2012, there will be NO sanitation collection on the dates listed below. All trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day all week (e.g., Monday routes will be collected on Tuesday, Tuesday on Wednesday, and so forth), except where indicated:
Martin Luther King's Birthday: January 16
Memorial Day: May 28
Independence Day: July 4 (only Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday routes are delayed by one day)
Labor Day: September 3
Thanksgiving Day: November 23 (only Thursday and Friday routes are delayed by one day)
Christmas Day: Tuesday, December 25 (Tuesday through Friday routes will be delayed by one day)
City Answers Questions about Proposed Purchase of 107 & 113 West Jefferson
Kirkwood City Council voted on December 15 to approve the purchase of the buildings at 107 and 113 West Jefferson. Some residents may still have questions about the purchase or the process, so an FAQ has been developed. Please click here to download a copy.