Nixa, Willard honored for innovative projects

The cities of Nixa and Willard are being honored by the Missouri Municipal League for innovative projects.

Nixa won in the large-size city category – population between 15,000 and 30,000 – for its sensory path installed in fall 2021, according to a news release. Willard is being honored in the medium-sized city category – population between 5,000 and 15,000 – for a solar project.

The sensory path was unveiled in October 2021 at Nixa's Gardens At Woodfield park. The path has interactive elements, such as textured materials to walk on, according to city officials. It's the fifth time Nixa has received an innovation award from the MML.

"We always encourage our employees to bring innovative ideas forward to help us make our community the best it can be, and in this case, our parks department got an idea from local teachers to provide a sensory learning experience in a way our community really responded to," Nixa City Administrator Jimmy Liles said in the release. "The sensory path has made the Gardens of Woodfield into more of a destination for many families in our community, who now go out of their way to enjoy the experience."

The city of Willard's Jackson Street solar project uses energy from the sun to power USB charging stations in outdoor spaces.

Willard Parks and Recreation worked in partnership with NewTek Energy LLC on the project, which also includes emergency lights and call stations, according to the release.