Current Project
Thank you to our generous sponsors, community partners, and patrons!! Our vision for the 77-acre site we purchased last year is becoming a reality. This piece of property stretches along 131 Hwy from OO Hwy to Starr School Road.
Follow our Facebook page, Partners for Odessa Parks & Recreation, as we turn this dream into a reality for our community!
Timeline of Completed Projects
2022
This Pickleball Court project is almost complete and is open for use. Thank you to the Lafayette County Children’s Services Fund, Odessa Outreach, City of Odessa Missouri Government, and other anonymous donors for the support! Thanks to Lindsey, Joey, and the staff at Odessa Parks for all the help also. Thanks to our board members and Dave DeCamp for painting. We will still be adding lighting and other amenities. We also left room for 2 more courts on the South end if future expansion is warranted.
2021
New shade structures cover the 3 sets of bleachers at the Dyer Park baseball field. Green posts with tan canopies were ordered to match the aquatic center structures. Funding was provided through grants with DNR – West Central Solid Waste Management – Region F, West Central Electric Round-up, and a donation from the Odessa Clothes Closet, plus funds from the Reverse Raffle.
JSI Drilling excavated the 3 foot wide and 5 feet deep holes. Brandon Steffen and Ernie Cockrum were laborers. City of Odessa employees scooped and hauled dirt, plus sent a truck and trailer to get rebar and lumber. Joey Starner, Frank Jenkins, Jr., Mike Duncan, and Bob Burroughs volunteered time and labor. Cinda “Bailey” Dowel and Lindsey Crowell Adams wrote the grant from Region F Solid Waste Management.
2020
Chestnut Park Basketball Court, a full size court, was constructed of asphalt with 2 basketball goals, lines and benches.
In October the Partners for Parks and Recreation was awarded $2,500 for bleacher shade from America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by Bayer Fund.
A grant was received from DNR – West Central Solid Waste Management – Region F, West Central Electric Round-up for the Dyer Park Baseball Field Project.
2019
Chestnut Park Basketball Court project received a $2,500 donation from Dennis Knipmeyer, Board President of West Central Electric Roundup Foundation. Ground breaking took place August 6, 2019.
In February the 2nd Annual $10,000 Reverse Raffle was held. Winners were Rob and April Waibel and Rick and Terri Ramsey, who split the prize.
2018
In September Improvements to the Dyer Walking Trail – included piping for better drainage and asphalt paving equipment and labor provided by City Street Crew partial funding provided by Partners for Odessa Parks, Odessa Outreach and Odessa Clothes Closet.
In May the playground at Chestnut Memorial Park was completely installed.
Installation of new playground equipment in Centennial Hills Park.
2017
New playground equipment at Chestnut Memorial Park along with rubber mulch and borders. Thanks to Beta Sigma Phi, Alpha Epsilon Alpha Chapter and their Little Mr. and Miss Odessa fundraiser. With their help new Expression Swings are made available.
Dyer Park playground installed in partnership with Region F, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Oliphant Foundation, and Odessa Clothes Closet. Thanks are given to Dave DeCamp, Project Manager, Joey Stearner, Masterpiece Lawncare, Odessa Public Works, Odessa Special Road District, and I Love Odessa crews for helping with the installation.
2016
New $25,000 playground set for Dyer Park awarded through Pioneer Trails and is funded by the Department of Natural Resources. Playground will include recycled tire mulch and playground borders. Donations from Odessa Clothes Closet and Odessa Outreach.
January 23 held a Taco Dinner/Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament in support of the parks. Winners of the first annual event include Fred Alkire in 1st place, Dawson Dowell in 2nd place, and Mark Dugger in 3rd place.
2015
Received $7,000 Missouri DNR Scrap Tire grant for loose rubber mulch to complete the Dragon play area at Dyer Park, diverting 42,000 pounds of tires from Missouri landfills.
2014
Court Sponsors Bank of Odessa, Clothes Closet, Odessa Heating and Cooling, Casey’s, and private donors.
2013
Challenge Grant – 3 outside basketball courts and new walking trail. Total raised $37,300. Partners for Parks has issued a challenge to the residents of Odessa to contribute to the challenge of using the abandoned tennis courts at Dyer Park for three outdoor basketball courts and completion of the walking trail in Centennial Hills subdivision.
Courts will be used as extra practice facilities when weather permits, 3-on-3 tournaments and leagues. The walking trail in Centennial Hills is part of the Parks master plan. Bridges installed by Eagle Scouts left the trail unfinished. Completion of the trail assisted in the layout of the park’s department’s Connectivity Map. Funding also provided by HCC Missouri Department of Natural Resources Recycled Scrap Grant for Chestnut Park – 8 Trail Benches, 2 Picnic Tables, 2 Park Benches
3 Trail Benches, 6 Picnic Tables, 10 Park Benches and 4 WCA Picnic Tables – Dyer Park; 4 Park Benches, 3 Picnic Tables, 1 – SCA Picnic Table at Phillips Park. 1 Picnic table and 2 trail benches at Centennial Park.
2012
Purchased new catcher’s equipment for the boys and girls softball and baseball programs and a new batting cage for Dyer Park. This included 25 sets of catcher’s equipment and 25 equipment bags with wheels. The project total of $3,617.55 and was funded in partnership with Odessa Outreach and Deward Palmer family.
Provided funding for two additional improvements at Dyer Park. A new batting cage for the softball field was constructed by volunteers, with poles donated at cost by a local business, Arrow Security.
2011
Swim Lanes Project. A donation was made by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce to the Odessa Partners for Parks organization to restore Lake Venita. Donation represents proceeds from the Chamber of Commerce Rodeo held in June.