NEWS RELEASE
May 11, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact Madison Walker, Policy & Communications Coordinator, Missouri Municipal League at 573-635-9134.

Missouri Municipal League Announces 2026 MML Innovation Award Winners

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Municipal League is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 MML Innovation Awards. These awards honor outstanding projects happening in communities across Missouri that enhance the quality of life for Missouri cities.

The projects illustrate the creativity of Missouri’s local officials and municipal employees as they serve their communities and keep Missouri cities vibrant.

The winners were announced last Friday as cities across the state celebrated Missouri Local Government Week (May 3-9). It was 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. This year, MML received 31 submissions from municipalities statewide, demonstrating 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.

This year’s winners are:

City of Joplin (Metro City, with population more than 30,000)
MOmentum Bike Park

The City of Joplin set out to create a unique recreational experience for local bicycle riders and create a tourism destination for families looking for a unique, safe and fun riding experience.

In November of 2025, Joplin opened the largest bike park of its kind in Missouri. This world-class facility boasts 95 acres and 10 miles of single-track mountain bike trails, plus a BMX pump track, progressive jump lines, a skills course, and a children’s bike playground - all in one central location. The park is unique in its design to serve riders of every age and skill level — from children learning to ride, to elite athletes pushing their limits. The park is an ideal destination for families looking for a place to explore on two wheels together. The park is already generating excitement, attracting visitors, supporting local businesses, and strengthening Joplin’s reputation as a hub for outdoor adventure.

City of Ozark (Large City, with population 15,000 -30,000)
Chadwick Flyer Multi-modal Bridge

The City of Ozark, in collaboration with several community partners, first began exploring the idea of a multi-use trail connecting Ozark and Springfield, Missouri, in 2016. After years of planning and coordination, construction on the Chadwick Flyer Trail officially began in 2020. The trail closely follows the historic route once traveled by the Chadwick Flyer in the late 1800s and early 1900s, preserving a meaningful piece of local heritage while creating new recreational opportunities.

As segments of the trail were completed, City leaders encountered a significant challenge: how to safely connect the system across a major barrier, Highway 65. Through partnerships with Ozark Greenways, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the Ozarks Transportation Organization (OTO), Show Me Christian County, Ozark High School, and others, a solution emerged in the form of a multimodal bridge designed to safely accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, and others.

City of Bridgeton (Medium City, with population 5,000 – 15,000)
Pattonville School Dist./Leonardo DRS

As part of a redevelopment agreement between the City of Bridgeton and Leonardo DRS, a high-tech engineering defense contractor, the City negotiated a package of real estate tax incentives designed to support significant capital investment and job creation within the community. In exchange for those incentives, the City required the applicant to enter into a formal community improvement agreement with the local school district, Pattonville.
A key component of that community agreement is the establishment and ongoing operation of a structured internship program for district students. The program provides meaningful, hands-on learning experiences within a real-world engineering and advanced manufacturing environment. Students are exposed to cutting-edge technology, professional mentorship, and career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

City of Osage Beach (Small City, with population under 5,000)
Sewerage Sustainability: Protecting Multi-Million Dollar Assets at the Source

The City of Osage Beach faces a persistent and costly challenge: severe sewer odors and rapid infrastructure decay. The City’s complex pressurized wastewater network, consisting of 88 lift stations and over 1,300 grinder pumps, is plagued by slow moving waste becoming septic quickly and the buildup of Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG). This buildup creates a breeding ground for bacteria that produce high levels of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) gas. This gas is not only the source of constant public odor complaints but also actively corrodes multi-million-dollar concrete and metal assets. Masking these symptoms has required expensive, reactive chemical treatments and emergency repairs that continuously strain the municipal budget.

Runners-up were also honored:

Metro City: Jefferson City (River Market/Chestnut Street Extension Project)

The River Market and Chestnut Street Extension project began as a series of long-term redevelopment efforts at the historic Missouri State Penitentiary site.

Large City: City of Lebanon (Lebanon Medical Simulation Lab)

The primary objectives of the project were to create local, hands-on training opportunities, retain skilled professionals by allowing them to train where they live and work, and reduce reliance on out-of-region training for advanced medical simulation.

Medium City: City of Branson (New Police Station)

The objectives for a new Police Station were to build a building that was functional, family-focused, allowed for the development of new resources and was large enough to accommodate a 30-year growth plan.

Small City: City of Morrisville (The Morrisville Municipal Addressing & Signage Modernization Project)

The City of Morrisville, a fourth-class city in Polk County, successfully transitioned from a legacy rural county grid system to a self-contained, precision-based municipal addressing system.


About MML
The Missouri Municipal League provides a united voice for municipalities across Missouri. Founded in 1934, MML now serves more than 650 municipalities with training, resources and legislative advocacy for local government success. Learn more at www.mocities.com.
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