Gardens and (Eek!) Shuffleboard Going to the Dogs' Park

Chesterfield City Councilman Barry Flachsbart envisioned a shuffleboard tournament for the city's newest park, Eberwein—otherwise known as the enormously popular Chesterfield Dog Park.

The city sold more than 1,050 dog park memberships in three months last year at $10 a piece.

Flaschsbart also pondered aloud, during a city Parks and Recreation Committee meeting, whether just two shuffleboard courts would be sufficient?

The committee and city council went on to unanimously approve the plan Wednesday, to indeed install two shuffleboard courts for $8,065 from the Parks Fund Reserve.

Consensus was, more shuffleboard courts could always be added.

The same city representatives went on to agree and spend twice as much ($16,000) on 30 community garden plots in Eberwein Park, with room to add another 15 plots for a potential total of 45 plots. In-house labor (city workers) on construction would keep plot rental low for residents, officials said.

One park neighbor in a development of large new homes with small-to-no yards bordering the park, questioned whether she would like all that activity in her back yard.

If Chesterfield apartment- and condo-dwellers who garden are as eager to spend time in Eberwein Park as dog owners seem to be, it could be one busy 18-acre park for Chesterfield.

It's also a revenue bonanza, as some city officials have said.

Garden plots would cost $30 a year. Dog park memberships cost $30 this year. No word on whether senior citizens would be charged for shuffleboard.

If Councilman Flachsbart's dream of shuffleboard tournaments comes true, just imagine the returns.

Sizing up the park since its much-anticipated September 1 opening, it looks like at least one-third of the property is dedicated to:

• the fenced-in dog park
• a fenced-off watering hole
• 34 parking spaces
• Girl Scout butterfly gardens
• old red barn and new bathrooms.

Of the remaining one dozen acres, potentially add:

• 45-30 garden plots
• shuffleboard courts with tournaments.

Not that there isn't room, but how many Chesterfield residents play shuffleboard, or will travel to play shuffleboard in Eberwein Park? Parking spaces are limited and dominated by dog owners, currently. Then throw into the mix gardeners with tools and plants.

More to the point, my entirely unscientific, cursory questioning of Chesterfield acquaintances who admit to being at retirement age, have never played a game of shuffleboard. Not even on a cruise ship did they opt for shuffleboard.

This all brings to mind a reality check:

• Are there really baby boomers-now retirees (who came of age with the Beatles, Rolling Stones and mini-skirts) who play shuffleboard?

• How many Chesterfield residents requested shuffleboard courts for $8,065 plus city worker labor, and ongoing maintenance costs?

Not that I have anything against shuffleboard. Just checking.