COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Department of Transportation crews plan to permanently close a portion of the North Jefferson City Recreation Area on March 13, according to a Thursday press release. Crews will close the paved parking lot and playground for tree removal. The trees must be cleare d by March 31 because of environmental concerns, the release says. The playground will be relocated to Green Berry Acres Park, the release says. MoDOT will cover the cost. Fourth Street, the northern sports fields, gravel lots and the commuter parking lot off Hibernia Road will remain open, the release says. The release says the area where the paved parking lot and playground are currently at “will be repurposed for a new ramp” from Route W to westbound Highway 54, the release says. The change is part of a project that will widen Highway 54 between Highway 63 and the Missouri River Bridge. The post Part of North Jefferson City recreation area to permanently close appeared first on ABC17NEWS. ...read more read less