Platte County is moving forward with its courthouse lawn beautification project.
A contract between Platte County and Horticultural Impressions for nearly $60,000 in improvements to the courthouse lawn was approved by the Platte County Commission at its Monday, June 3 meeting.
The Platte County Commission presented a draft proposal to improve the lawn of the courthouse on March 18 and sought public input on the plans, as the courthouse lawn is utilized by Platte City during its downtown festivals, as well as the Platte City Friends of the Arts for summer concerts and by other community groups.
two teams of high school students from the Northland Center for Advanced Professional Studies focused on the lawn and how it could be improved. The student teams met with employees working in the courthouse, with a local attorney that practices in Platte County, and with members of the downtown Platte City community. The teams presented their proposals to the county commission in December.
The proposal improves ADA access for citizens that have trouble with stairs. It adds ADA access from Main Street and the west-side parking lot. The landscape architect selected plants and bushes that are low maintenance and more likely to survive in Missouri’s climate. The proposal maintains the open spaces used for concerts and special events on the front steps of the courthouse. It replaces worn out benches and old trash cans.
District Commissioner Joe Vanover started the effort in April 2023 by meeting with Mayor Tony Paolillo, the city administrator, the executive director of the Platte City Chamber of Commerce, and others. “As an attorney, I go to courts throughout the region. The Platte County courthouse lawn currently looks significantly worse that others in our area,” Vanover added. County employees were surveyed during the employee appreciation lunch on the lawn in May 2023.
Also at the meeting, the commissioners approved an agreement of services with Vireo for design of phase two of Michael Gunn Park in southern Platte County. Phase two will include trail enhancements, a shelter house and a “destination” playground.