The Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Committee forms a bridge between residents and city government when it comes to parks. “We work hand in hand with the parks department to assist them in any way that we can,” committee chairwoman Michelle Keesal said. “We’re kind of like the grassroots link between Chesterfield citizens and city government.” Aside from advising city council, Keesal said the committee has also taken on entire projects. Member Eileen Sellers said getting the word out to citizens about new city developments is another one of the committee’s roles. It helped market the …

The Chesterfield Historical Commission, in its 22nd year, works to educate the community on the historical significance of the city and the land it rests on today. “We promote the history of Chesterfield and the history of the area and history of landmarks,” said commission member Arland Stemme, who has a member of the group since 1988. The commission meets on a monthly basis. The group recently published a book titled, Chesterfield, Missouri From Untamed Wilderness to Thriving Municipality. It was written by commission members Anne Chrissos, Jane Durrell, Dan Rothwell, Joan Schact and Stemme…

The Chesterfield Beautification Committee's mission is in its name: It makes suggestions to visually perfect parts of the city with landscaping and hosts community events highlighting the area’s floral overachievers. The committee used to be called the Highway Beautification Committee, said chairwoman Kay Folsom, who has been a part of the committee for 21 years. Once the committee was done with the intersection of Clarkson Road and Highway 40, it seemed the city should be its next outlet. “We picked the sign for the city,” Folsom said. “We really had been in charge for the first 10 years or …

The Chesterfield Alliance for Positive Youth sets out to help kids in the area make better choices regarding drug, alcohol and tobacco use. It also helps to instill kids with a positive outlook on the future, boost their confidence and help them to combat bullying. The alliance holds family forums in the fall to discuss topics including raising children responsibly, Internet safety, substance abuse and addiction, suicide and depression. It also celebrates Red Ribbon Week at the end of October, which supports drug-free lifestyles. On Earth Day, the group holds a drug take-back program, in …

The Citizens Committee for the Environment (CCE) aims to educate Chesterfield on conservation and environmental awareness. It does this mainly through sponsoring various annual events and drives. Committee Co-Chair Darcy Capstick said the committee works with and through government at all levels to maximize the opportunities for the conservation of nature and energy resources through education. The old days, Capstick said, were the ones when group members would put on raincoats and rubber gloves and collect residents’ recyclables in the Chesterfield Mall parking lot. The new days? The …