All Entries Tagged With: "Ferguson"
Ferguson tour headed to Missouri’s oldest prison
On May 23, Ferguson Parks & Rec will sponsor a tour to the Missouri State Penitentiary, the oldest prison west of the Mississippi.
One of the nice benefits of living in Ferguson is the fact that the city has an awesome Parks & Recreation Department. Aside from maintaining 106 acres of public land and offering a wide selection of classes and learning opportunities, Parks & Rec also coordinates some incredible road trips.
My friend Nancy Whitener handles most of the travel planning, and though I’ve never hopped on a bus with her, I’ve heard rave reviews of her many adventures. Nancy is always looking for new & interesting places to visit, and this time she has really outdone herself. On May 23, she’s leading a group to the old Missouri State Penitentiary!
Built in 1836, a full 100 years before Alcatraz, this massive complex is the oldest prison west of the Mississippi. Located in Jefferson City, it was a brutal place once condemned as the “bloodiest 47 acres in America,” and a number of infamous criminals (including women) were housed here. Dozens of prisoners were also executed here, both by hanging and lethal gas, before the facility was finally closed in 2004.
Not surprisingly, the Missouri Pen is a hotbed of paranormal activity. Ghost Hunters even filmed an episode here, so there’s no telling what you might see if you sign up for this trip.
After a two-hour ride on Amtrak, you’ll enjoy lunch at the Prison Brews microbrewery then visit the Missouri Highway Patrol Museum and finally the penitentiary, where you’ll get to view dungeon cells, the upper yard, A-Hall (pictured above), Housing Unit 3, and even the gas chamber. Before heading back to St. Louis, you’ll also get a taste of ice cream at the historic Central Dairy.
The trip will run from 8am to 8:30pm, and the cost is just $84 for Ferguson residents and $89 for non-residents, inclusive of everything but souvenirs. Only 53 people can go on the tour, and Nancy’s trips frequently fill up, so if you want to tag along on this unique outing, call (314) 521-4661 ASAP.
Ferguson’s Old Missouri Penitentiary Tour is scheduled for Wednesday, May 23. The prison is NOT wheelchair accessible. Photos courtesy of Micheal Peterson.
UPDATE 3/16: This trip is sold out!
Public input sought for sustainable regional plan
If you’re a resident of Ferguson or any of the surrounding communities mentioned above, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments wants to hear from you. This local nonprofit recently received a $4.7 million grant from the federal government, which will be used to “create a regional plan that builds the capacity of local and regional leaders to implement sustainable practices by sharing knowledge, best practices, and resources; connecting local, regional, state and federal planning efforts; and making federal and local investments more effective and efficient.”
In other words, they want to listen to citizen input and then develop long-term strategies to meet six core goals:
- Provide more transportation choices
- Promote equitable, affordable housing
- Enhance economic competitiveness
- Support existing communities
- Coordinate policies and leverage investments
- Value communities and neighborhoods
During this three-year process, there will be public meetings in 11 different Community Planning Areas. For our Ferguson area, the first meeting is tomorrow night, 6:30pm, at the St. Louis Community College Training Center, 3400 Pershall Road. If you live in Spanish Lake, Glasgow Village, Bellefontaine Neighbors or Riverview, your meeting is March 20, 6:30pm, at Trinity High School, 1720 Redman Road.
If you can make it to either of these events, wonderful! If not, you can still participate in the process by completing this community survey. You can also learn more about the St. Louis Regional Sustainable Communities project, which is what this whole thing is called, on the RPSD website.
Let’s go, North County! From couch to 5K…
Live Well Ferguson's annual Twilight 5K is coming up May 19, and it's not too late to get ready! These free local training programs can help you boost your fitness.
“Don’t let the mark you make on the world be a dent in the couch.”
I saw that in a magazine ad once, and it still makes me laugh. It also inspires me to want to get off my butt and finally compete in the Live Well Ferguson Twilight 5K, not just the fun run. NOCO is a sponsor, after all, and I know I can handle the 3.1 miles, even if I have to walk most of it. So what you say, NOCO fans? Are you ready to get off the sofa with me??
In years past, Ferguson had just one Couch to 5K training program, led by the wonderful Pat Shelton, who has turned dozens of local residents into happy, healthy runners. This year, not only is Pat back, but a second program led by Marius Johnson of Beyond Housing will be available as well. Both C25K programs focus on gradually developing endurance to complete a 5K within two months, and both are FREE.
Pat’s group meets Monday evenings, 6pm, at Forestwood Park in Ferguson. Marius & his Beyond Housing crew meet Saturday mornings, 9am, at St. Vincent Park near Bel-Nor. Runners and walkers of all fitness levels are welcome!
To sign up for the Ferguson Couch to 5K program, which starts March 19, contact Pat Shelton at patshelton60@yahoo.com. To sign up for the Beyond Housing program, which starts March 24, contact Marius Johnson at (314) 882-6550 or mjohnson@beyondhousing.org.
By the way, have you noticed all the healthy eating options around Ferguson lately? I knew Cork and the Brewhouse had healthy menu options as part of the Eat Well Ferguson initiative, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear that good ol’ Faraci Pizza has also jumped onboard. They’re now serving a fresh veggie pizza on a whole grain crust!
For more info about Eat Well Ferguson, Live Well Ferguson or the Twilight 5K, jump on over to the Live Well website. I would love to see you walking in the 5K beside me!
What is your vision for Downtown Ferguson?
After gathering public input tomorrow night, the city of Ferguson is planning to implement a new forms-based approach to zoning in the downtown district.
If you want to see somebody’s eyes glaze over with boredom, start a discussion about planning & zoning. Better yet, throw in terms like “mixed-use development” and “appropriate land use” and watch how quickly the room clears. Nobody likes to talk about these things, except maybe bureaucrats and academics, but the fact is effective planning & zoning is absolutely vital in a thriving community.
The good folks at Ferguson City Hall know this. They also know that downtown Ferguson has an antiquated zoning code that restricts a whole range of desirable businesses. That’s probably why they’re forging a new plan and inviting the public to participate.
Tomorrow evening, the city staff is asking residents, business owners and anyone with a vested interest in downtown Ferguson to attend an open house, where they can seek your input on a variety of issues.
What do you think downtown Ferguson should look like in the future? What can the city do to make Florissant Road more pedestrian-friendly? What kinds of new businesses would you like to see? Those are some of the questions that need answering, and everyone’s opinion is welcome!
If you’d like to read more technical details about the new zoning approach Ferguson is taking, jump on over to the Form-Based Codes Institute. Otherwise, just show up at city hall tomorrow, March 1, at 6:30pm and be ready to share your ideas…
Ferguson City Hall is located at 110 Church Street, 63135. Light refreshments will be served.
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K