A ribbon-cutting was held on Saturday morning for new soccer fields at the Highland Park Sports Complex at 4900 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. Holding the scissors was Unified Government Commissioner Angela Markley, center, with Bobby McFarland, youth sports director, on the left in the blue shirt, and Camellia White, executive director of the Turner Recreation Commission, on the right. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
by Mary Rupert
With a marching band, a ribbon-cutting and a soccer match, the new Highland Park Sports Complex was launched on Saturday morning at 4900 Shawnee Drive in Kansas City, Kansas.
The project includes three irrigated natural soccer fields on 20.8 acres, said Camille White, executive director of the Turner Recreation Commission. It is near Midland Elementary School.
“We have provided a place for our youth in Turner to play soccer,” White said. There were no soccer fields in Turner specifically for Turner Recreation programs before this, she added.
The complex also includes a futsal court built a few years ago, a concession area and restrooms.
In the future, there are plans for a playground, baseball and soccer fields, she said.
White, who has been executive director of the Turner Recreation Commission for six years, said the Unified Government gave this property to the Turner Recreation Commission. Some of the fields also are on Turner school district property. Turner Rec then used capital outlay funds, setting some funding aside each year for this project.
“There was no tax increase for this,” she said, “no mill levy increase.”
White said she hoped the project would be completed in five years, with a phase planned every year.
During the past phase, the soccer field was rebuilt, the concessions stands and restrooms were rebuilt and the parking lot was redone, she said. In the last year, the main work of the soccer fields was completed.
During the ribbon-cutting, White mentioned the dedicated work of a Turner Rec employee, Bobby McFarland, youth sports director, a salaried employee who worked late and Saturdays to make this project come to fruition.
White said nearby residents have been coming to the Highland Park Sports Complex to walk, and eventually, a walking trail will be built to connect all of the areas in the complex.
Teams or persons who want to use the soccer fields are asked to make reservations with the Turner Recreation Commission, http://www.turnerrec.org/.
The Turner High School Marching Band performed Saturday at the ribbon-cutting of the Highland Park Sports Complex at 4900 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)The Turner High School Marching Band performed Saturday at the ribbon-cutting of the Highland Park Sports Complex at 4900 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)The Turner High School Marching Band performed Saturday at the ribbon-cutting of the Highland Park Sports Complex at 4900 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)The Turner High School Marching Band performed Saturday at the ribbon-cutting of the Highland Park Sports Complex at 4900 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)A ribbon-cutting was held on Saturday morning for new soccer fields at the Highland Park Sports Complex at 4900 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. Holding the scissors was Unified Government Commissioner Angela Markley, center, with Bobby McFarland, youth sports director, on the left, and Camellia White, executive director of the Turner Recreation Commission, on the right. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Two youth soccer teams posed for a photo before playing a soccer match at the Highland Park Sports Complex on Saturday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Another youth team posed for a photo on Saturday at the Highland Park Sports Complex. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Some residents turned out for the dedication of the soccer fields on Saturday at Highland Park Sports Complex. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Renovations of the concession stand and restrooms were included in the park improvement project at Highland Park Sports Complex. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Renovations of the parking lot also were included at the Highland Park Sports Complex. (Staff photo)The Highland Park Sports Complex is on Shawnee Drive, not far from County Line Road, in Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo)
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Highland Park Sports Complex, 4900 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas.
The soccer fields are the first part of a multi-use sports complex on 20.8 acres, according to a news release from the Turner Recreation Commission.
The complex has three natural fields for co-ed soccer practices and games. The complex also includes a futsal court, concession stand, restroom facilities, paved parking areas, covered picnic shelter and walking trails.
In the future, there are plans to build a playground, baseball and softball fields.
“We want to make sure the complex caters to the multi-faceted needs of the community and visitors,” said Camellia White, executive director of the Turner Recreation Commission. “The improvements made to this recreation facility will make the complex and park inviting for the public to enjoy.”
“From the moment people turn into the complex’s entrance and are greeted by the natural fields, we hope they are excited to have a dedicated space where our athletes will regularly compete and practice,” said Bobby McFarland, youth sports director.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, youth soccer games will be played on Saturday.
ActivStars will offer youth programs open to boys and girls this fall.
The programs are sponsored by the Unified Government Parks and Recreation Department and offered through ActivStars.
Martial arts and karate class will offer skills such as anti-bullying tactics, abduction prevention and non-aggressive behaviors, and are taught by certified Black Belt instructors. There will be awards and promotions.
Martial arts and karate for ages 4 to 15 will be offered on Mondays from Sept. 10 to Jan. 14 at the Pierson Community Center, 1800 S. 55th St.; and Mondays Sept. 10 to Jan. 14 at the George Meyn Community Center, 126th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs.
Class times at Pierson are 6 p.m. for beginners; 7:15 p.m. for green and blue belts; and 6:45 p.m. for purple belts and above. Those attending should arrive 15 minutes early for registration.
Class times at George Meyn Community Center are 5:45 p.m. for white belts; 6:30 p.m. for green and blue belts; and 7:45 p.m. for purple belts and above. Arrive 15 minutes early for registration.
Fees for martial arts classes are $8 per week for a 45-minute lesson. A higher-ranking extended class fee is $9 per week for a 60-minute lesson. Uniforms are available for $33.
Cheerleading will be offered for ages 4 to 15. Skills learned will be safety awareness, cheers, chants, jumps and pom dance routines. There will be awards and trophies, and competitions.
The classes will be held Wednesdays from Sept. 5 to Jan. 23 at the Beatrice Lee Community Center, 1310 N. 10th St., Kansas City, Kansas.
Practice times are 6:30 p.m. for ages 4 to 6; 7:15 p.m. for ages 7 to 9; and 8 p.m. for ages 10 to 15. Those participating should arrive 15 minutes early for registration.
The cost of the class is $8 per week for a 45-minute lesson. The fee for ages 10 to 15 is $9 per week for a 60-minute lesson. Poms for the different levels are available for purchase.
Registration will be open the first three weeks, and the nonrefundable fee is $10. Participants may pay weekly or for the full semester. Registration will be taken online or in class. Parents or guardians must register their children.
Parents of children in the self-defense and karate class may enroll with their children.
In case of bad weather, registration will be held the next week.
For more information, call 816-994-2644. For online registration, visit https://us.activstars.com/.
