JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The city of Butler has been named a recipient of a Missouri Municipal League Innovation Award for 2024. Winners have been announced this week in conjunction with Missouri Local Government Week. These awards honor outstanding projects happening in communities across Missouri that enhance the quality of life for Missouri cities. The city of Butler is the winner for the small cities category.
Winning projects illustrate the creativity of Missouri’s local officials and municipal employees as they serve their communities and keep Missouri cities vibrant.
Butler’s submission highlighted the Kenton and Friends Inclusive Playground. The playground was the fruition of a community-driven, City-supported inclusive playground project. The aim was to create a community-accessible recreational space that could be enjoyed by people of all abilities and ages within Butler and surrounding communities. The project was led by a committee of volunteers with support from city officials and involved seeking proposal bids for playground equipment accommodating individuals with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, as well as catering to the full community.
The project committee involved community members, including individuals with disabilities, caregivers, parents, special education educators, local organizations, and government entities, to ensure the playground met the diverse needs of Butler. The goal was to foster social inclusion, promote physical activity, and provide an engaging environment where everyone could play together without barriers.
Cities across the state also celebrate Missouri Local Government Week this week (May 5-11.) It is the perfect time to highlight the MML Innovation Award winners, as these projects demonstrate the dedication of those serving in local government. They also emphasize the valuable partnerships city officials develop with other cities, nonprofit organizations, businesses and citizens.
Awards are based on city population size, except for the Member Choice award, where MML members vote for their favorite project regardless of city size. This year, MML received 23 submissions from municipalities statewide, demonstrating the creativity and ingenuity within local government.
Learn more about Local Government Week at www.mocities.com and find more information regarding the MML Innovation Awards at www.mocities.com/InnovationAwards.
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