St. Joseph Missouri Parks, Recreation, and Civic Facilities

06/18/2026

Do you want to find a quiet park in St. Joseph this weekend? Check out Seitz Park at the corner of Esther and Elijah Streets! This cozy little Southside park has a basketball hoop, picnic table, playground, and green space! There is even a bench overlooking the playground for the “Nans” in your life.
If you are participating in the Parks Passport program this summer, make sure to match the playground colors to one of the stickers in your booklet! Learn more about this program on the city website at www.stjosephmo.gov

06/17/2026

Corby Dog Park will be closed until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, June 18, for mowing and maintenance. Thank you for your patience.

06/15/2026

Youth tennis camp registration is open! This program is open to ages 5-13, and it will be held at Noyes Tennis Complex from July 6-9 at 8:00 a.m.

Registration is $50 per participant, and it is available at our administration office at 1920 Grand Avenue between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Registration closes on July 1, 2026. If you are unable to make it during business hours, please call us at 816-271-5501.

06/12/2026

Make Northside Complex your next stop on your parks passport! This park features tennis courts, handball, horseshoes, a wonderful playground, basketball courts, and open green space. It also has a brand new shelter and restroom building! You can find it at 3600 St. Joseph Avenue. Learn more about parks passport on the city website at www.stjosephmo.gov

06/11/2026

The Hyde Park trolley received a new roof, repairs to weathered side panels, and fresh paint. This project was funded by the park half-cent sales tax approved by voters in August 2021.

06/10/2026

The City of St. Joseph is scoring goals! We are proud to provide recreational opportunities for our residents and visitors. Learn more about our offerings on the city website: www.stjosephmo.gov

06/09/2026

Way to go, Patrick! We appreciate your hard work and dedication to making St. Joseph a better community.

For Patrick Quinn, working with the St. Joseph Missouri Parks, Recreation, Department is more than just a job. It’s also an opportunity to improve the community he calls home.

He has been with the department in St. Joseph for about a year after spending five years working in the City of Independence’s Parks and Recreation Department. Patrick says he is motivated in his work for a multitude of reasons.

“I have kids, so my kids go to the parks in the cities that we live in,” he says. “Getting involved in that has been kind of a passion.”

Patrick says some of the most rewarding parts are getting to help advance the parks system while working outdoors.

“Being involved in advancing that for our city is probably my favorite thing,” he says. “I get to be out in nature but also get to be involved in what the parks system looks like.”

Like many public service employees, there are challenges along the way. Patrick notes vandalism is a concern that the parks department faces regularly. He says it can be discouraging to see public places damaged when the department works hard to provide free and accessible amenities for the community.

“Our whole job is trying to make things nice and accessible for people,” Patrick says. “When we are continuing to fix and repair the things that people destroyed, it's disheartening.”

Even with these challenges, Patrick remains committed to providing enjoyable spaces for the community. When asked what he would recommend that residents check out, he suggests the river walk near Re*****on Nature Center.

“That’s a really beautiful place to walk,” he says. “There are over 10 acres of walking trails and places to go. It's a really nice place to spend some time.”

Patrick points out that there is a park about every few miles through the city. From parks, walking trails and facilities like the REC Center, the reach and responsibilities of the department across the city are huge.

Patrick encourages anyone considering a career in local government to check out city employment opportunities. He points to the health care and retirement benefits for city employees, as well as the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the community.

Most importantly, Patrick says, city employees get the satisfaction of seeing the results of their work firsthand.

“If you are doing this kind of work, it is meaningful to where you actually live,” he says. “You can see the direct impact of what you are doing with the neighborhoods and places you are living.”

If you are looking for current job opportunities with the Parks and Recreation Department or are curious about other city positions, you can find more information by visiting https://www.stjosephmo.gov/1017/Jobs.

06/09/2026

Today's St. Joe FIT in person walk has been canceled due to the heat advisory. Be smart if you must be outside!

06/08/2026

Staff spent Saturday morning engaging with residents in the John Lucas Park neighborhood at the city's second health and safety fair. The event included several community partners and provided resources, information and Dumpsters to help residents clean up larger unwanted items from their property. Thanks to all who attended!