Park Board President Tom Batenhorst received an honorary proclamation from the state of Missouri at Thursday’s Park Board meeting.

Batenhorst was honored for his 34 years of service with the Missouri Department of Transportation. The proclamation was signed by Reps. Louis Riggs and Elijah Haahr, Speaker of the House. Riggs also serves on the Park Board and presented the proclamation.

Batenhorst retired as district planning engineer Jan. 1. Batenhorst was instrumental in the project management of four-laning the Avenue of the Saints, the U.S. Route 61 corridor, from LaGrange to Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Batenhorst served in many roles throughout his lengthy career, including highway designer, design squad leader, project manager, district design engineer and district planning manager.

Besides his work on the Park Board, Batenhorst is also active in the Hannibal Jaycees and the St. Jude’s Run.