JC Parks celebrates July as National Park and Recreation Month
under the theme, “Build Together, Play Together”
Jefferson City, MO. For 40 years, the nation has celebrated Park and Recreation Month, an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), in July to promote building strong, vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation.
This month recognizes and celebrates the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals — along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers — who maintain our country’s local, state, and community parks.
To mark the occasion, Mayor Ron Fitzwater will read a proclamation outlining the importance of parks and recreation for the Jefferson City community at the July 21, 2025, City Council Meeting in City Hall.
On Thursday, July 24, 2025, the department will host a “Parks on Tap” event open to the public at Last Flight Brewing Company from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This event will include live music, food trucks, displays showcasing the department’s work to build and play together, and activities and yard games for children. A Community Bike ride will depart from the brewery at 6:00 PM, touring the Greenway and several parks along the “McKay and Beyond” route.
This year’s theme, “Build Together, Play Together,” especially resonates with JC Parks, having completed seventeen Capital Improvement Projects since June of 2024. These projects included new infrastructure, renovations to existing amenities, and improvements to parks and facilities that enhance accessibility and usability for park visitors.
Throughout the summer and into the fall, the department made improvements to existing facilities, including:
- Opening the eight court Washington Park Pickleball Complex
- Completing installation of features and wayfinding signs at Deborah Cooper Park on Adrian’s Island
- Renovating Memorial Pavilion and installing a custom staff-created sculpture
- Pouring and resurfacing a new basketball court at East Miller Park, and building a new pavilion for the site, replacing outdated infrastructure
- Installing a new desiccant dehumidifier and purchase of a new state-of-the-art Olympia ice resurfacer for the Washington Park Ice Arena
- Making improvements to Vivion Field, including backstop padding, with future plans to upgrade ADA-friendly seating and walkway areas
- Creating the Archery Range at Binder Park
- Installing a new playground at Binder Park, complete with renovated restrooms, ADA-compliant walkways, and the department’s first Communication Board
- Building an ADA-friendly dock on McKay Lake at McKay Park (with ADA trail completion anticipated to be completed soon)
- Improving infrastructure and play at Oak Hills Golf Center, including building extended cart paths, renovating tee-boxes, and equipment maintenance to keep the grounds in excellent condition
- Installing AED equipment across parks and facilities
“This year’s national theme, “Build Together, Play Together,” aligns with the mission, goals, and objectives of JC Parks,” shared department director, Aaron Grefrath, “Building and maintaining quality facilities is essential because of the lasting value they bring to the residents of Jefferson City.”
“Well-maintained parks not only enhance our community’s quality of life but also stimulate economic development, promote public health, and support various environmental benefits,” he added.
While the department has made great strides in building and improving infrastructure to best serve the community’s needs, it isn’t stopping there. Casting a vision for the future starts with listening to community feedback — then aligning funding, resources, and staff to bring those plans to life.
“Capital improvement projects are also a key part of this value,” said Grefrath, “which is why JC Parks staff have been actively developing a multi-year Capital Improvement Plan.”
As the department looks to the future, JC Parks is proud to celebrate the progress already made — and remains committed to building spaces where the community can connect, thrive, and play. Whether it’s exploring a trail, cooling off at a pool, or bringing the family out for a summer event, there’s never been a better time to discover all that parks have to offer.
“Our goal is to continue investing in our facilities — upgrading them where we need to — to ensure all residents have equitable access to the exceptional amenities and programs JC Parks has to offer this community,” Grefrath shared.
To learn more about Park and Recreation Month, visit jcparks.com and nrpa.org/July.
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JC Parks provides facilities, programs, and experiences for the residents and guests that contribute to an enhanced quality of life. JC Parks and Recreation maintains 1,400 acres of parkland with 20 parks, 40 miles of trails, 13 playgrounds, 15 ball fields, two swimming pools, a public golf course, a wellness and recreation center, a one-sheet indoor ice arena, and an outdoor amphitheater.
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.
