As Clark Allen retires from the city of Poplar Bluff, he leaves a legacy that extends the beauty of community parks

“I grew up about a block-and-a-half from Link Park,” reminisces park Director Clark Allen. “I was an outdoors kid who spent lots of time at the park, and was always interested in the things that went on there. Working in the field of parks and recreation is just a natural fit.”

Reflecting on his 32-year career as director of the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department, Allen is quick to defer any praise to those who serve in other capacities.

“Every improvement made in the Poplar Bluff parks system is due to the efforts of many, many people,” Allen quickly points out. “The board, the staff, the department heads, the workers, the municipal workers, our volunteers and the community at large all work together to help plan, implement and maintain the vision we had and have for our city’s green spaces.”

Allen is a Poplar Bluff native, having graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1972. He began his college career locally at Three Rivers, then transferred to what was then called Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield. He graduated in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in parks and leisure services and worked in various areas of the state before returning to his hometown in 1987 as the director of the parks department.

Allen observes that when he assumed the leadership at the department, the parks within the city were primarily athletic fields.

“The first directive from the board,” Allen explains, “was to expand the offerings and services within our department.

“Through the years,” he adds, “we have slowly upgraded those facilities and provided more open spaces for our community to enjoy.”

Allen comments that the department has diversified within their parks. From predominantly athletic fields and playgrounds, the parks have expanded their appeal and now, people of all ages visit the parks for a variety of reasons.

“Ferguson Grove is a good example of our effort to provide more open space,” Allen proudly points out. “There are lots of trees, two sculptures, landscaping and a quarter-mile walking trail.”

He goes on to say, “There is no play equipment in this particular area. It is a scenic refuge of sorts. A lovely place where people can come to spend their lunch hour, or simply escape to rest and relax.”

The skate park is another facility that Allen points to as a major innovation in the local parks system.

“The addition of the skate park in 2012 was a much-needed resource,” Allen points out. “The Missouri Foundation for Health helped fund that project.”

According to Allen, the foundation was looking for youth who were underserved.

“Our skaters were definitely underserved,” Allen observes. “We didn’t see them in the parks much, because there was nowhere for them to skate.”

Allen says that like most of the park projects, the skate park was a collaborative effort.

“The kids helped plan it,” Allen explains, “because it was for them. We wanted it to be a fun, safe environment for the kids to skate; however, we also wanted it to be bright and inviting — an urban plaza, so to speak.”

“We incorporated design and color, to give it a really artsy feel,” Allen adds. “Visitors can just sit and enjoy the atmosphere, or watch the kids when they gather to skate. It’s very social when the kids are there.”

Allen points to the city’s trail system as another much-needed upgrade in the park department’s offerings to the community.

Allen says the majority of people, when answering surveys about how they use the parks, reply that they ‘walk, run, jog, bicycle or skate.’

“Those responses,” Allen observes, “point to the need for an extensive trail system. One of our goals is to help our parks’ visitors develop healthy lifestyles and through our trails we are providing a means for them to achieve that.”

“We have been very aggressive in seeking grants and funding to improve our trails,” Allen remarks. “We have expanded those over the past few years, and are nearing completion on a major trail now. We’re also waiting on funding to start another one.”

In addition to expanding the services offered within the city’s various parks, the department also began a concerted effort to beautify, not only the parks, but many public spaces within Poplar Bluff.

“In the last 10 years,” Allen reveals, “we have placed a great deal of emphasis on horticulture, in an attempt to beautify, not only the parks, but the city, as well.”

“Within our parks” the director discloses, “you’ll see an abundance of flowers, plantings and flowering trees. But if you’re driving around town, you’ll also see flowers and plants in what were once-empty-or-overgrown-public spaces. We are extending the beauty of the parks into the community.”

Through his commitment to parks and recreation — on both the local and state level — Allen has gained a deep admiration from those with whom he has worked.

As he talks about the impact that Clark Allen has had on the park department, Eric Schalk, president of the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors observes, “Mr. Allen is leaving a legacy behind that will be sorely missed and very hard to replace.

“He is the epitome of a leader, having brought stellar leadership to the department … without seeking glory or recognition for his efforts.”

Schalk goes on to say, “Among the many accomplishments achieved under Clark’s leadership are the miles and miles of paved walking/running trails inside the city; the Wolf Creek Trail just outside the city — due to his yeoman’s efforts; and the acquisition, expansion, and development of various park projects, including the Jerry McLane Sports Complex.”

Reflecting on Allen’s work with the state organization, Gary Gates, executive director of Missouri Park and Recreation Association observes, “… Clark has devoted countless hours to serving his community, as well as the Missouri Park and Recreation Association. He played an instrumental role in the creation of a parks and storm waters sales tax, which has generated over $3 billion across the state.”

Gates adds, “Clark has served in nearly every role on the MPRA Board of Directors, including the presidency in 2002-203. In 2012, he was the recipient of the prestigious MPRA Fellow Award.”

Allen will retire Aug. 2. A public reception will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 29 at the Black River Coliseum.