New Pickleball Courts Completed at Liberty Park

The Sedalia Park Board met Thursday, Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m., at the Heckart Community Center following a ribbon-cutting ceremony held for the six new pickleball courts in Liberty Park.

The popularity of pickleball in Sedalia was evident by the large number of people who showed up for the brief ceremony.

“They were ready to cut that ribbon and then get us off the courts so they could all play,” said Amy Epple, Sedalia Parks & Rec director.

“I love when you see multiple generations out there playing pickleball. I know there was one eight-year-old boy and I know there were some players their late 70s who were out there playing as well,” she said.  “It just shows you the impact the Parks Department can have on the community.”

It's not just the physical benefits, but the mental benefits of enjoying the parks is what pleases Epple the most, specifically how Parks & Rec has a positive effect that helps raise the mental well-being and overall quality of life of community members.

Epple credited her staff for their excellent teamwork and dedication to their job.

“We’re striving to be the best and give the community the best that we can. And that starts from the bottom and I hope it goes all the way up to me. You see that from the front desk workers at the Heckart to the landscaping crew to maintenance. There’s a lot of work that goes into it. And I’m very blessed and fortunate to have a team that loves what they do,” Epple said, adding that some weeks she sees her staff more than she dos her own family.

A total of four bids came after a request Clover Dell Lagoon fencing was sent out. Bids ranged from $26,600 to almost $38,000.

Park Board ultimately approved the bid from Advanced Fence and Rail to install fencing around the two lagoons at Clover Dell.

The existing fencing was installed 25-30 years ago when Clover Dell first opened, Epple noted and needs to be replaced. The lagoons were also cleaned out as well in late July and early August.

Park Board also approved a bid to refinish the slide at Liberty  Pool. Epple noted this done once every five years, and involves sanding and repainting the slide. This will insure that the slide is ready to go by Memorial Day Weekend of 2026.

A total of three bids arrived for that project, and Raw Custom Coating secured the winning bid at $41,500. Work will begin on that within the next two weeks, Epple noted.

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Park Board also approved a new service animal policy that mainly affects the indoors at Heckart Community Center and Convention Hall.

“We just needed to get a better handle on what’s happening inside our facilities,” Epple said.

There was one complaint that Park Board heard. One gentleman complained that there are not enough water fountains in the parks. That issue will be addressed next spring, as the water fountains will be winterized come Oct. 1.

The Sedalia Park Board meets again Oct. 9. The public is invited to attend.