Bob Smith, Park Board President Resigns

Bob Smith, Park Board President Resigns

Bob Smith at the Minor-Smith Park bridge opening

Robert (Bob) Smith resigned from the Raytown Park Board on Oct. 1st,  2011.  Mr. Smith has served on the Park Board since 1990.  He was elected Vice-President in 1993 and has been Board President for the last 12 years.

Some key acomplishments:

1990 Bob played a major role in securing  revenue bonds in the amount of 1.4 million dollars to fund improvements to Super Splash USA, the department’s family-oriented aquatic facility. Through Bob’s leadership, the revenue bonds were retired two and a half years early, saving the city $84,000 in interest. 

During Bob’s tenure as Board President, the Department received eight grants, including both federal and state, totaling more than $1,652,287 to renovate, upgrade and build new parks and facilities. The Parks Department has acquired three new park facilities. These include the Rice-Tremonti Home, the first wooden home built in Jackson County in 1844, a historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Homes; Henry C. Kritser Park; and the Raytown BMX Track, a truly unique competitive bicycling facility, which opened in 1999.

During Bob’s leadership the Board brought forth the Park’s Recreation and Open Space Master Plan in 2001.

In 2004, Bob  worked on the “Raytown Reaching For Tomorrow” campaign and served as chairperson of the implementation phase of the completed strategic plan. This planning process took more than a year and called upon residents to determine the direction of city government.

Bob has been and will continue to be active in the Raytown community in areas other than the Parks Board. He is a board member of Shepherd’s Center of Raytown and delivers Meals on Wheels. He also is an active member of Raytown Crime Watch.