Welcome to Kirkwood!

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 90 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).