Dover Outdoor Recreation Area is planning the meeting

June 1 — The public can see concept plans for the Dover Outdoor Recreation Area to be built on Joplin’s north side during a public meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at the History Museum and Minerals of Joplin, 504 S. Schifferdecker Ave.

This nearly 100-acre park south of Zora Street and east of Lone Elm Road will offer cycling activities for all ages and skill levels.

Joplin Parks and Recreation staff, along with other city staff and community stakeholders, met with Kansas City-based SWT Design, the consultant for this project, to gather ideas and input. Plans include a BMX-style pump track, a children’s bike playground and single-track mountain bike trails.

The park will also include restrooms, lighting and community event areas. SWT also teamed up with the International Mountain Bike Association for the design.

“Through the topography and location of this park, we looked at the best use of the natural features it offers,” Paul Bloomberg, director of Joplin Parks and Recreation, said in a statement. “There are some interesting elements that this park will have because of the natural environment that we plan to use in the design.”

Citizens can see renderings of the original plans and provide input on the features and layout of this new park during the wine-de-go meeting.

Those unable to attend who would like to discuss the project can contact Bloomberg at 417-624-0820, ext. 1504 or email [email protected].

In April 2023, Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced that the Dover Outdoor Recreation Area would receive $1.44 million through the Local Tourism Asset Development Grant Program.

DORA was originally presented to voters as a project in the Parks and Stormwater sales tax renewal campaign in August 2021. Grant funding will offset some of the costs, and the city will provide about $1.7 million.

West Soccer Field Road will be improved as an entrance to the DORA.