Columbia residents can look forward to a fitness trail and amphitheater at Clary-Shy Community Park after the Columbia City Council approved further plans for the new agriculture park at its Monday night meeting.

The additions will also include a playground and a second outdoor classroom.

The council voted to accept a $400,000 grant as part of an agreement between Columbia Parks and Recreation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The grant will be used to pay for the park additions, which will cost $242,500, according to a council memo.

The council voted 6-0 to approve both items. First Ward Councilman Clyde Ruffin was absent from the meeting.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program, which provided the grant and is administered by the National Park Service, requires that construction be completed by May 31, 2020. Columbia was selected as one of 22 cities nationwide to receive the funding in 2017, according to the memo.

It seems like this is coming along quicker than we expected, Mayor Brian Treece said of the Clary-Shy Park project.

Third Ward Councilman Karl Skala said he had the privilege of joining several groups, including rotary clubs, Thursday as they made a contribution to fund the playground at the park. The playground will serve farmers market patrons and families, along with members of the west central neighborhood, according to the memo.

All in attendance participated in a groundbreaking and ribbon cutting, Skala said.

This is in the spirit of the true collaborative effort, where lots of the groups have come together and the city, also, Skala said. It was my honor to be there and represent the city. I think this is a wonderful program Im in very heavy support of.

The only questions other council members had related to parking.

Second Ward Councilman Mike Trapp asked if the fitness trail would connect with the school administration parking lot north of the park, and Parks and Recreation Director Mike Griggs said it would.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant will also be used to support the construction of an urban garden, an outdoor classroom and a 40-car parking lot.

These were part of the master plan for the Clary-Shy Community Park renovations. They were previously approved by the council in November 2017, but the city couldnt pay for them then, according to a presentation Griggs gave to the council. Those additions will cost $157,500.

Before the council voted, it gave attendees the opportunity to deliver comments, but there were no takers.

The council also approved an agreement for the naming and sponsorship of the pedestrian plaza in the Clary-Shy Park with Missouri Farmer Association Inc., Missouri Farmer Association Oil, Shelter Mutual Insurance Company, Missouri Farmer Association Foundation and the Fred V. and Dorothy H. Heinkel Charitable Foundation.

Fifth Ward Councilman Matt Pitzer abstained from voting on the naming and sponsorship of the plaza.

In other action, the council:

Tabled discussion on a plan for a new $27 million Landmark hospital between Nacona Parkway and Ponderosa Street within the Discovery Park development. The council will discuss the issue again at its Dec. 17 meeting.Approved the construction of two roundabouts in southwest Columbia, one at the intersection of Nifong Boulevard and Sinclair Street and the other at Nifong Boulevard and Old Mill Creek Road.Approved the annexation of nearly 31 acres of land south of Columbia near Bearfield Road. The land will be rezoned R-1, which allows for the construction of single-family homes. The council also approved a preliminary plat for the area named Bristol Ridge, which includes lots for 59 single-family homes.Approved an agreement with Boone County that clarifies which body is responsible for maintaining roads that lie along city limits.Approved the construction of a new sewer line that will run through the Columbia Country Club. The new 225-foot sewer line will allow the city to retire 1,200 feet of older clay pipe, which currently runs under a fairway on the golf course. It will cost around $85,000 and will be paid for using the citys Sewer Utility Enterprise Revenue Funds, according to a council memo.

Supervising editor is Tynan Stewart.