“We’re just really happy to see it come to fruition”: Capaha Park pond renovation project in final phase

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – One could refer to Capaha Park as the ‘Central Park of Cape Girardeau.’ And one of the crown jewels of this park–the pond– has undergone quite the transformation. 

Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Director Doug Gannon said it was a team effort to get to the final phase of the Capaha Park pond renovation project. 

“That was a real collaborative effort between the public works department, parks and recreation, the Missouri Department of Conservation,” he said. “We all came together and collaborated and got that project done, and we’re just really happy to see it come to fruition and for the community to be able to enjoy.” 

And he says the reception from the community has been even better than anticipated. 

“It really came to life quickly, so it was kind of hard to imagine what it was going to look like in its transformation, but seeing the new boardwalks and seeing the fishing piers and all of the enhanced pond amenities, it really has made it a nice area, so it’s really offered more than what we expected it would to the community, a lot of positive feedback from everybody,” he said.

One of those members of the community, Cape resident Stephanie Beard, is quite impressed with the improvements to the pond. 

“At first, I didn’t know what it was going to be like, but it actually turned out pretty good,” she said. “It took a while, so I didn’t know what it was going to be like, but I like it.” 

Gannon said the pond was partially drained to add aquatic plants, and returning the water level back to normal will put a final stamp on the project.