Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) is now administering flu vaccinations. Flu shots will be administered through school-based flu clinics, community outreach clinics around Boone County and with appointments in the PHHS clinic.  The flu vaccine will be available to all residents aged six months and older. Individuals with a severe egg allergy are advised to consult with their primary health provider about receiving the flu vaccine. PHHS will provide flu vaccinations at no cost to those between the ages of six months and 18 years thanks to a continued partnershi ..read more

As temperatures rise during the summer months, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) reminds residents about the resources available to assist community members seeking relief from the weather and the health risks involved with extreme heat. Cooling centers are available to the general public during the building’s normal business hours. Residents can access public areas, such as lobbies, restrooms, drinking fountains, etc. Columbia’s current cooling centers include:   Activity & Recreation Center (ARC) at 1701 W. Ash St. – 573.874.7700 Boone County Gover ..read more

The Columbia City Council recently authorized the development of the MKT Wetlands project located southeast of the Scott Boulevard MKT Trailhead to include construction of two (2) wetland cells, wooden boardwalk with a lookout deck and bench seating, and gravel and grass trails. The total project budget is $120,000 and includes $80,000 in Park Sales Tax funding and a $40,000 donation from Tom and Ann Smith. (See related Council items.) This is one of the projects promised to voters in the 2015 Park Sales Tax ballot.  Wetlands provide environmental benefits. See the “Welcome to Flat Bran ..read more

Trails have long been important to the quality of life for Columbians. In the 2021 Parks and Recreation citizen survey, it was found that 81 percent of Columbia households use the trail system! In fact, this love of trails extends outside Columbia’s borders – the state of Missouri in 2013 was named the “Best Trails State” by American Trails, a national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of the nation’s hiking, biking and riding trails. Columbia Parks and Recreation is proud to contribute to this designation. Columbia has eight major destination trails along with trails within its man ..read more

City of Columbia Economic Development Director Stacey Button has been appointed to Missouri’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Strategic Plan Initiative Steering Committee. The committee will work to assist the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) in maximizing economic development gains from the state’s entrepreneurs. The MTC is a public-private partnership created by the Missouri General Assembly to promote entrepreneurship and foster the growth of new and emerging high-tech companies.  Button will serve as a creator and an ambassador for Missouri’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Stra ..read more

You are cordially invited to You Don’t Say – Continuing the Conversation on Thursday, September 2nd at 6:00 p.m. at the Missouri State Historical Society. This event will expand on and highlight the award-winning KBIA “You Don’t Say” series, which was conceived and funded by the Mayor’s Task Force for Bicentennial Celebration (CoMo 200).    ..read more

The 43rd Annual Heritage Festival and Craft Show will return Sept. 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Nifong Park, 3700 Ponderosa St. Organized by Columbia Parks and Recreation, this free festival features traditional and roots entertainment on three stages and a handmade craft show. Reenactors, artisans and tradespersons dressed in 19th century attire will demonstrate their “lost” trades and sell their wares. The Heritage Festival will also feature a cowboy camp and mountain man camp. Visitors will be able to take hayrides around the park and try out crafts and games in the Burrell Health F ..read more

The City of Columbia will be at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) rally on Aug. 28 with information about employment opportunities at the City. Staff will be at the Boone County Courthouse to discuss open positions at the City as well as the application process from 5 to 7 p.m. The rally is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at the Second Missionary Baptist Church. Participants will walk from the church to the columns at the Boone County Courthouse. Staff with Public Health and Human Services will also be hosting a community clinic at the rally to give COVID-19 ..read more

As might be expected, more Americans turned to outdoor recreation in 2020 than in 2019 for a reprieve from the pandemic. The same was true in Columbia, MO. Trail counters indicated an 85% increase in trail usage in March/April 2020 over the same period in 2019. We are fortunate to live in a community that values outdoor recreation and has historically supported funding the development of parks and recreation facilities. The source for this “Did you know?” fun fact comes from the 2021 Outdoor Participations Trends Report (for 2020 trends) by the Outdoor Industry Association.  Photo: Dougl ..read more

In advance of the November 2021 Park Sales Tax renewal ballot, Parks and Recreation commissioned a statistically-valid citywide citizen survey to be conducted. The comment above was in answer to the question #21, “What comes to mind when you hear ‘Columbia Parks and Recreation’ (And, any other comments).”  You can read Parks and Recreation Director Mike Griggs’s message to Columbia citizens regarding the survey results in the Columbia Missourian article “Parks and Recreation is listening to citizen input about future needs, facilities” published August 13, 2021. The survey results and co ..read more