Director

The Civil War is often characterized as pitting “brother against brother,” the divisive nature of the conflict is well illustrated in the experience of St. Joseph. Missouri remained a part of the Union and St. Joseph sits very close to the border with Kansas, a vigorously anti-slavery state; however, the city was southern in its sympathies. The Union Army did not trust the loyalty of the city, prompting the construction of an earthworks on Prospect Hill overlooking the city – rather grandly named Fort Smith, after a Union commander, Col. Robert Smith. When the war ended, Fort Smith was abandoned and largely forgotten, though they remained visible into the early years of the 20th century.     Over the years, the area was built up and the location of Fort Smith was lost. In 2002, the Border War Society and the St. Joseph Archaeological Society began the active search for the site. It was identified in 2005, and efforts began to have the City of St. Joseph purchase the site from private owners. In 2007, amid the negotiations for purchase, the St. Joseph Archaeological Society conducted a dig on site finding evidence of the fort’s location. In 2011, the city purchased the property and the hard work of clearing the brush and planning the re-creation of the site began. Funding for the project came from the City of St. Joseph, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Missouri Humanities Council.     The reproduction cannons were installed in April 2013. Fort Smith opened to the public in August 2013. Since then, the site has been a popular attraction for those interested in a little-known aspect of the Civil War, as well as those who simply want a terrific view of the city.

The view across the city gives a good idea of why the site was chosen by the Union Army

Walkways and interpretive signage give meaning to the site

Offering stunning views across historic downtown, Fort Smith is one of the newest parks in St. Joseph, and one of the most recently rediscovered historic sites. The park has extensive interpretive signage, easily walkable paths, and replica canon.

Fort Smith

Rudolph Rau was one of the earliest park superintendents in St. Joseph; he was largely responsible for the early aesthetics of the city's park system

Rudolph Rau

It is often difficult to get the citizens of St. Joseph, MO to agree on anything much; however, one of the few things that most people will agree on is that the city is blessed with a tremendous park system. It is often seen as one of the premier assets of the community. The Parks, Recreation, and Civic Facilities Department of the City of St. Joseph oversees 48 public sites. These sites range from the treasured historic parks: Krug in north St. Joseph and Hyde in the south; to small neighborhood parks such as Seitz and College Hill; to sports facilities such as the Bode Ice arena and Phil Welch stadium; and event venues, the Missouri Theater and the Civic Arena. The St. Joseph Park and Parkway System was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. This tour will provide the user information on the history and current usage of these diverse facilities. This material was produced with the assistance from the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior under Grant Number 29-22-10029-014. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

From the time that there was a St. Joseph, Felix Street was at the center of the commercial district. The Sanborn Maps show the northwest corner of Felix and 8th Street as the site of various business including drug stores, saloons, a milk depot, and an ice cream factory. In the mid-1970s, as a part of the tragically misguided Urban Renewal program, all of the structures on that block were demolished leaving a gravel lot that became an unofficial parking lot.     In 1993, Main Street St. Joseph submitted plans to develop the space into Felix Street Square, designed to provide a market space as well as a place for community events. The organization got support from the city government, and despite some drama concerning architects, the space opened in May 1995 hosting events associated with the Apple Blossom Festival.     The first Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival was held on the site in 1999. In honor of the jazz legend, born in St. Joseph, the appendage “Coleman Hawkins Park,” was added to the name of Felix Street Square. In 2008, a larger-than-life bronze statue of “the Hawk,” by Herb Mignery (who designed the sculpture at the Western Gateway Park) was installed close to the stage area. The jazz festival continues to be a staple of the summer calendar, bringing world-class musicians to St. Joseph.     Felix Street Square and Coleman Hawkins Park is a gem in the heart of downtown. It is a wonderful place to sit, to watch people coming and going to all of the shops, and to enjoy live music.

Felix Street Square and Coleman Hawkins Park sits in the heart of historic downtown. In many ways, it is the heart of downtown. There is a gazebo/stage, covered vendor area, seating, public art, and a concession building. On summer weekends there is always at least one night of free live music. It comes alive with activity during the winter holidays, and it is frequently the site of activities associated with many of the civic festivals. Surrounding the park are the wonderful shops, restaurants, and bars of downtown St. Joseph where there is always something great to do and see!

Felix Street Square and Coleman Hawkins Park

The theater was the city's main entertainment venue until the end of World War II. Nonetheless, movies continued to be shown here until 1970 and then it became primarily a performing arts center. It was renovated in the late 1970s and again in the early 2000s.  The Missouri Theater is a pre-Depression-era movie house designed by the Boller Brothers architectural firm of Kansas City, Missouri. It opened for business on June 25th, 1927, with the first showing including feature film “Rough House Rosie” starring Clara Bow, an artistic dramatization called “Elegy”, and a 12-minute newsreel. On Sundays and evenings, tickets cost 35 cents for adults and 13 cents for children. Weekday matinees were 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. Initially a Publix Amusement house owned by the Paramount Famous Players Corporation, it served as the city’s first-run movie house until the post-World War II era when the entertainment district shifted to the suburbs. Constructed between 1926-1927, the theater features a distinctive exterior with Arab-Iberian inspired elements, Art Deco piers, and a central arch. Connected to the theater is the Missouri Theater Building, showcasing terracotta ornamentation on its brickwork façade. The external design of the Missouri Theater was immediately iconic. By 1929, another theater, the Isauro Martínez Theater, built as an homage to the Missouri Theater, began operating in Torreón, Coah., Mexico.Inside the Missouri Theater, visitors will appreciate an atmospheric design with a single balcony and mezzanine. The interior decorations draw upon inspiration from ancient Persian, Babylonian, and Assyrian arts—featuring a plaster canopy tent ceiling, winged human-headed lions, heraldic motifs, friezes, and more. This styling creates an ambiance intended to conjure a fantasized experience inside an ancient Bedouin-inspired desert tent. The interior aesthetic, accounting for much of the theater’s overall artistic identity, was the work of Baxter Springs, Kansas-born Waylande Gregory, a 20-year-old sculptor and student of Larado Taft. Gregory's prowess manifested in the creation of many captivating sculptures, including the winged bulls and phallic gods which adorn the theater's interior. His innovative fusion of ancient Persian, Arabian, Assyrian, and Hittite influences resulted in an immersive and visually stunning environment within the theater. Beyond the Missouri Theater, Gregory's artistic legacy extends to many other notable area works such as the Hotel President in Kansas City and St. Joseph’s City Hall. The theater ceased operation as a movie house in 1970 but was saved from possible demolition by Town Hall Center, Inc. Although the Missouri Theater was originally constructed as a movie house, the theater survives to this day, in no small part, to the included original provisions for stage shows—with a large stage, dressing rooms, orchestra pit, fly gallery, and a dimmer board for lights. In 1978, after residents voted for the passing of a $750,000 bond issue, the City of Saint Joseph acquired the building as a center for the performing arts. In 1979, the Missouri Theater became a local landmark and was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Over its lifetime, the Missouri Theater has undergone restoration efforts by local citizens and organizations, emphasizing its cultural and historical significance in St. Joseph. Renovations and alterations include the installation of a snack bar, loge (opera box) and lobby renovations, accessible restrooms, rocker seating, and the removal of the original marquees, art glass, and parapet decoration from the façade.

The Missouri Theater is located at 717 Edmond Street in Downtown Saint Joseph. Alongside the Robidoux Resident Theatre, it is one of two performance theater venues operating within the community. Whether hosting symphonies, operas, musicals, concerts, or pageants, the Missouri Theater is the premier center for the performing arts. The theater is ADA compliant and has a seating capacity of 1,200.The Missouri Theater was built in 1927 and is an excellent example of a Great Depression-era movie palace. Its design combines Art Deco and Moorish Revival architecture. The exterior features blue and red tiling, a large Moorish arch in the center and several smaller arches, and four Art Deco piers. The interior can be described as "atmospheric," with Persian motifs and a tent-like canopy hanging from the ceiling. Directly adjoining the theater is a two-story building that was constructed after the theater; both were finished by the time of the grand opening on July 25, 1927. The two buildings were added, together, to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Missouri Theater 

Not surprisingly, a place as wonderful at the Joyce Raye Patterson Center is named after an extraordinary individual. Joyce Raye Patterson (Dec. 8, 1930-June 7, 1978) was one of those people who leave a legacy that lives on well after they are gone. Joyce was director of InterServ Community Services which provides assistance to challenged individuals throughout the community, from its inception in 1957 until her untimely death in 1978. Under her leadership, InterServ expanded to five sites, offering day care, senior citizen programming, Meals-on-Wheels, and Older Adults Transportation Service. She was key in the creation of the first comprehensive senior citizen housing facility in the city. At the time of her death, the city of St. Joseph was building a senior center, and it seemed an obvious thing to name it in her honor.     The Joyce Raye Patterson Center opened in October 1978; Betty Thomas served as the first director of the facility. She described its mission: “The senior center should provide the base from which a concerted effort to reach out and help isolated and friendless older people is conducted. While the senior center is concerned with relationships with other age groups, the objectives clearly and purposefully focus on the older person. The senior center, through its program, helps older persons feel that they can and should continue to contribute . . . and that they are a wanted and valued part of the community.”     Since its opening nearly 50 years ago, the Joyce Raye Patterson Center has provided a changing and innovative variety of services and activities. It is a much beloved place for those over 50 to gather, play a game of pool, eat lunch, and participate in a variety of informative events.

The Joyce Raye Patterson 50+ Activity Center is a 22,000 square foot facility offering fitness, games, a library with computer access, and a cafeteria for individuals over the age of 50. You do not have to be a resident of St. Joseph, nor do you need a membership to participate in activities; a membership is required for the use of the fitness center. There is covered parking below the center with elevator access.

Joyce Raye Patterson 50+ Activity Center

The Pony Express served an important purpose: it further connected California, which was granted statehood in 1850, to the rest of the country before construction of the transcontinental telegraph was completed in October 1861. It was a much faster service than stagecoach travel, reducing the time it took for mail to travel east and west to around ten days.The service was established by William Russell, Alexander Majors, and William Waddell, who were already experienced in the shipping industry. There were numerous stations on the route and riders could travel between 70-100 miles per day. There were two kinds of stations: those where riders could quickly switch horses and those where riders could eat a meal and stay overnight. Needless to say, the stations were a critical part of the service. In 1938 the City of St. Joseph decided to erect a monumental statue commemorating the Pony Express in a triangular plot in City Center Park. The city used a Public Works Administration grant of $28,620 and a public bond issue of $35,000 to fund the project. Hermon Atkins MacNeil was chosen to create the larger than life-sized bronze monument. MacNeil initially created a plaster model in his studio in New York, before casting the bronze. The Roman Bronze Works in Long Island, New York did the bronze casting. The finished sculpture stands 12 feet tall and weighs 7,200 pounds. The completed monument was unveiled on April 18, 1940. Since then, the Parks Department has taken responsibility for the maintenance of the monument and the surrounding landscape. As it is such an iconic representation of St. Joseph, several civic organizations have contributed to keeping the site attractive.

Few images are a more iconic representation of St. Joseph than the Pony Express monument. The intrepid rider and his horse galloping westward is found on countless post cards. If you are looking for the perfect place to take a picture in St. Joseph – this is it! Located in a small triangle at the intersection of Francis and 10th Streets is a memorial to the Pony Express, which was a mail delivery service that operated from April 3, 1860 to October 1861. Mail was carried by men riding fast horses on a route that began here in St. Joseph and ended in Sacramento, California. The memorial consists of a large bronze sculpture of a rider on his horse atop a stone base inscribed with the words "The Pony Express." Artist Hermon A. MacNeil created the sculpture. The memorial is surrounded by a short metal fence and there is a bench for people for people to sit on. The memorial was dedicated on April 20, 1940, the 80th anniversary of the Pony Express.

Pony Express Memorial

Few places in St. Joseph are as tied to the history of the African American community as John Lucas Park and the Bartlett Center. Located on the site of the only high school in the city that admitted black students before desegregation, this place has stories to tell!     The first building on the site was Bartlett High School where African American students whose families made it possible for them to attain secondary education went. Bartlett School was built in 1888 at a cost of $15,800. In 1929, the gym was built for $48,000. It remained segregated until 1954. In 1956, the old structure was demolished (except for the gym which still stands and is used by the Bartlett Center and other community groups) and the new Horace Mann school was built as a desegregated elementary school. In 1971, it was a middle school before it closed in 1979 due to changing enrollment patterns. It has since been utilized as a neighborhood community center; it is now home to the Bartlett Center. The halls of the Bartlett Center display large-scale photographs of Bartlett School and the people who studied and taught there – the exhibit is open to the public.     Adjacent to the Bartlett Center is John Lucas Park, a gathering place for the neighborhood, especially in nice weather. The park was built in the late 1970s when Horace Mann school became a community center. It suffered from lack of maintenance and had a reputation as a place that was not safe. In 2002, the city committed to a revitalization of the park using Community Block Grant funds, undertaking a planning process in which the input of members of the neighborhood was sought. The initial plans included a shelter house with restrooms, basketball courts, as well as improved fencing and lighting. Further improvements were planned for later. It took longer than hoped for the improvements to be completed, but the neighborhood never gave up and in 2004, the first phase of the improvements were completed. Further improvements were made, and when they were completed in 2007, the amenities were a huge hit! It took a little time, but the park became a valued center for the neighborhood and has been the site of the annual Juneteenth celebrations. Today it is a terrific place to play basketball or horseshoes, have a picnic, or just take in the historic surroundings.

Located in the heart of historic Midtown, John Lucas Park and the Bartlett Center have available picnic tables and shelters, basketball courts, a playground, and horseshoe courts. John Lucas Park is a great place to shoot some hoops or have a picnic. Located in the former Horace Mann School, the Bartlett Center is a community center/child care facility; the gym is used for community events and basketball games.

John Lucas Park and Horace Mann

In 1977, St. Joseph voters approved a $5.5 million bond issue that, in part, funded the construction of the Civic Arena. It was portrayed as a key element toward the revitalization of St. Joseph. The arena opened on October 4, 1980, hosting a preseason NBA basketball game. In its first six months Brenda Lee, Cheap Trick, pro-wrestling, Black Sabbath, the ice follies, the Lipizzan Stallions, and the Harlem Globetrotters all drew audiences into the arena.     Since that time the arena has hosted music concerts including country group Restless Heart and the reconfiguration of Starship. Sports have always been an important part of the programming at the arena. Want to see roller derby? Go to the Civic Arena! Bull-riding your thing? The Civic Arena! Boxing? It happens at the Civic Arena!     In the post-COVID era, the St. Joseph Sports Commission has brought an increasing number of high-profile sporting events to the venue. These include the 2022 MIAA Volleyball Championship; the 2023 NCAA Division II WBB Central Region Showcase; and the 2024 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Elite Eight National Championship.     In order to make this 1980s era venue serve its purpose in the 21st century, St. Joseph is making a significant investment in upgrades to the arena using Community Improvement and Parks Tax funds. The upgrades include new lighting, scoreboards, and seating as well as improving the appearance of the exterior of the facility. These upgrades are ongoing, so part of the fun will be to watch the evolution of Civic Arena over the next few years!

Located in the heart of historic downtown, the Civic Arena is St. Joseph’s large-scale indoor event venue. The arena opened in 1980 and has been host to a wide variety of events. It is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation, both inside and out, to ensure that it continues to be an attractive place for people to come to enjoy all sorts of entertainment.

Civic Arena

In 1955, Little League Baseball was a big deal in St. Joseph. The number of teams and participants was growing and additional fields were needed. The site at Marion and Goff streets was approved as an appropriate place for one of the new facilities. There were teams for all ages and skill levels, and they all needed places to play. In 1957, the Local 110 of the carpenters’ union built two dugouts for the field. Since then, the Marion and Goff field has been a favorite among local teams and the area around it is filled with the sounds of “America’s pastime” on summer evenings.

The Marion and Goff Ballfield is one of the municipal facilities created in the middle of the 20th century to accommodate the increasing popularity of both baseball and softball. For many years, there were dozens of local teams, many sponsored by businesses, that competed during the season. The Marion and Goff Ballfield offers concessions and restrooms as well as the ballfield. Sitting adjacent to the ball field is the Corby Dog Park, offering an off-leash space for dogs. There is a separate area for smaller dogs and agility equipment is available. A $5 annual membership fee is required to use the dog park.

Marion and Goff Ballfield and Corby Dog Park

Seitz Park was developed in late 1971 to provide needed neighborhood open space in an expanding part of South St. Joseph. Improvements at the park were partially funded by Community Development grants given to the Seitz Improvement Organization.     In 2018, Seitz was one of the seven parks chosen to receive an upgrade to its playground equipment. Assistant Parks Director Jeff Atkins stated concerning the park, “If you go down there and look at it today, there’s a real old jungle gym that’s down there and there’s a swing structure. Ando for it to be a neighborhood park there’s just nothing there but a big lot of grass.” That situation changed with the installation of a unique play structure. The appearance of the park was further improved in 2019 when the Sustainable Environment Advisory Committee sponsored the planting of several trees in the park.

Located in the heart of South St. Joseph, Seitz Park is a charming neighborhood green space. There is a unique new play structure to provide hours of fun for children of all ages. This is the perfect place to have a picnic and throw a frisbee or just take a stroll.

Seitz Park

In 2002, the city decided to create a gateway to downtown. “The intent is to develop a parklike amenity on the site to create a positive first impression as visitors exit from northbound I-229.” Herb Mignery, a sculptor based in Loveland, Colorado was chosen to produce a sculpture, “The Journey West,” for the park [another example of Mignery’s work, a sculpture of Coleman Hawkins, can be seen in Felix Street Square]. The plan was to hold the unveiling in June 2004 to coincide with the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The sculpture depicts a group of six diverse figures, representing the pioneers who headed west from St. Joseph. Public and private funds made the park and its amenities possible.

The city’s location at the hub of transportation routes – river, roads, and rails – made St. Joseph one of the primary jumping off points for people heading west; crossing the Missouri River and heading off to a new life. Much of the city’s wealth came from outfitting the travelers. The Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and the Pony Express Trail all ran right through St. Joseph. The Western Gateway Park commemorates that portion of St. Joe history.

Western Gateway Park

In March 1855, Frederick Smith donated nearly 2 acres to the newly formed city of St. Joseph for use as a public park. It was St. Joe’s first public park. It boasted ornate iron fencing, lighting, drinking fountains, and public art.After World War I, St. Joseph, like much of the nation, was looking forward. The drive was to embrace the new and the modern and to leave the past behind. In 1919, the city government decided that the time had come to leave behind the old city hall and municipal facilities located at Market Square and to create a modern Civic Center. The plan was to build a new City Hall and other municipal structures around a park, much like the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Voters approved the plan and the search for an appropriate site commenced.     Eventually, city leaders decided to enlarge the existing Smith Park to create the Civic Center. In order to do so, a large number of existing structures had to be acquired and demolished; a plan that proved controversial. Ninety-two parcels were condemned for the project. Among the structures demolished were the Knights of Columbus building and the Francis Street Baptist Church in addition to many residences and commercial structures.The Park Commission requested proposals for the project from landscape architects across the nation. The plans submitted envisioned a grand district with lovely plantings surrounded by museums, municipal buildings, and the library. It was to embody the ambitions and optimism of the city. The park was created and the new City Hall built (it opened in 1926), but the rest of the grand plan was never created, falling victim to the economic downturn.Though the plan for the grand Civic Center did not come to fruition, Civic Center Park was immediately popular and has been the site of large community gatherings. Candidates for political office gave speeches at the park. In July 1938 Governor Lloyd C. Spark spoke to an audience of more than 3,000. Thomas E. Dewey spoke in 1940. And when the time came to celebrate victory in World War II – Civic Center Park was the obvious choice of venue for the mass meeting.Civic Center Park is the location of choice for city festivals. In 1963, the Midland Empie Fall Arts Festival brought hundreds to the park. Every Spring, events associated with the Apple Blossom Festival occur there. Trails West! an arts festival designed to commemorate St. Joseph’s role in westward expansion was an annual event in August from 1993-2018. It brought thousands of people to the park to enjoy the art, food, and entertainment.The park has provided St. Joseph citizens with the opportunity to show enthusiasm for national sporting events. In 1934, a World Series Party was held, and more recently, annual “Red Rallies” have been held to illustrate the city’s support for the Kansas City Chiefs.The shade provided by the trees and the relief from the fountain make Civic Center Park a favorite place to cool off in the summer, prompting the 1944 Gazette to describe it as the city’s “back yard.”Civic Center Park provides a wonderful place to relax and enjoy views of the historic architecture of the Museum Hill Historic District and City Hall and is an easy walk to the attractions of charming downtown St. Joseph.

Located adjacent to historic City Hall, Civic Center Park is the site for many municipal events and celebrations. It is where St. Joseph gathers to remember its history, to celebrate the Chiefs, and to eat amazing barbeque. It is a lovely open space with trees, paths, and the wonderful dolphin fountain. It is also the site of several memorials to veterans and fallen first responders.

Civic Center Park & Smith Park

located at the foot of Francis Street into a public park. In honor of the city’s founder, city officials decided to name it Robidoux Landing. Little happened for five years, until the River Front Park Committee was created and began pushing the project in earnest. In the summer of 1987, the City received at $51,000 matching grant from the United States Department of the Interior to develop the park. With this funding, as well as private contributions, the committee purchased four acres at the foot of Francis Street and began planning for a riverboat casino to dock at the park. That part of the dream became reality in April 1988, when the Spirit of St. Joseph sailed up the river to its dock at Robidoux Landing. This success and the excitement it engendered brought both private and public investment to the riverfront.     In the 1990s, when the gaming laws no longer required casinos to be located on a functioning river boat, the river boat was sold and the casino moved to its current location. Today, the park is a quieter place, but it remains a wonderful spot to gaze at the Mighty Missouri or to begin a walk along the Riverwalk Trail.

The city of St. Joseph began as a trading post created by the fur trader Joseph Robidoux. He chose to put his trading post close to the Missouri River. St. Joseph still retains its identity as a river town – Robidoux Landing is a great place to begin your exploration of that part of St. Joe history. There is a picnic shelter and this is a good place to start your hike on the River Walk.

Robidoux Landing

William and Louis Park was created from a bequest to the City of St. Joseph from brothers William (Jan. 17, 1844-Feb. 19, 1920) and Louis (Feb. 1, 1842-Jan. 8, 1918) Huggins. The Huggins brothers were the sons of James and Mary Sublette Huggins; two of the most prominent of early St. Joseph citizens. An Irish immigrant, James made his first fortune as a rope manufacturer and merchant in Versailles and Louisville, Kentucky. He married Mary Sublette in 1828 when she was only 18 years old. Mary and James had eight children, but six died very young, leaving only William and Louis. The family moved to St. Joseph in 1858 and James died in 1864. His sons William and Louis accumulated a sizeable fortune in business in St. Joseph. Neither brother married. When William died in 1920, his will left charitable bequests totaling $240,000 and an addition $161,500 in personal bequests; among those bequests was a piece of land to become a park named after the brothers.     In January 1921, the City Council passed an ordinance accepting the bequest and allocating $1,000 for the improvement of the site. The grading of the site used the initial allocation. George Burnap, the noted landscape architect, who drew up plans for the parks and parkways of St. Joseph in the 1920s included William and Louis Park in his plans. Burnap’s drawings called for the creation of a series of rock-walled terraces and hanging gardens reached by stone steps for a cost of between $25,000 - $30,000. The city did not have the funds to fulfill this ambitious plan.     Under the terms of the bequest, the city was to develop the site as a park. In 1929, the executor of the Huggins estate sent a letter to the city asserting that the required improvements had not been made and threatening to take the park back. The Parks Department argued that it had fulfilled the terms of the will, and promised to undertake further development of the site when funds became available. In the early 1930s, further grading work at the site occurred and beautifications of the top of the hill were undertaken.

Located at 13th and Patee, the one-acre green space of William and Louis Park offers a lovely scenic overlook. A description written in 1929 still holds true today, “While small, it is an ideal ‘lookout’ park from which a splendid view is had of the business district.” Today it offers grand views of downtown and is a favorite spot from which to watch air shows at Rosecrans Airport.

William and Louis Park

In 1859, the Christian Brothers religious order built an impressive college on the block bounded by Henry, Ridenbaugh, 12th and 13th Streets at a cost of $230,000. The onset of the Civil War delayed the school’s opening. The Union army used the building as barracks. The harsh winter weather prompted soldiers to use doors and window casings for firewood. When the war ended, the federal government paid $7,500 to repair the damage. On Sept. 5, 1867 the school on “College Hill” opened its doors to its first class of students. From the beginning the school was famous for high academic standards, rigid discipline, and athletic prowess. Several prominent men were alumni: the political boss Tom Pendergast; the father of the St. Joseph stockyards, John Donovan; and St. Joseph mayor A.P. Clayton all were students. By the mid-1920s, the building’s condition had deteriorated and the decision was made to build a new school (now Bode Middle School). The building on College Hill was sold for salvage for $300 and demolished in 1927.     The empty space left by the demolition soon became used as a neighborhood park. Local community leaders installed playground equipment and sponsored activities aimed at neighborhood children. In 1953, the City of St. Joseph acquired the park.     It has remained a beloved and important center for the neighborhood. Unfortunately, at times in its history it was also a place that was neglected. Various neighborhood and community groups have arisen over the years to help clean up the park and to provide resources and programming there. In 1981, the city invested $30,000 in community development funds to refurbish the park. Most recently, in 2019, the City of St. Joseph installed lovely new playground equipment.     A visit to this treasured neighborhood park will be rewarded with the sounds of happy children playing, the shade of established trees, and – if you stand quietly, close your eyes and open your imagination – the traces of the Christian Brothers School on College Hill.

Many places in St. Joseph were once something else and traces of their former lives can still be seen. That is the case for College Hill Park. Bounded by an impressive stone retaining wall and mature trees, taking up a full city block, this neighborhood park has not always been an open space for play. The park received a facelift in 2019 funded by Community Block Grant funds. It has new play equipment, basketball courts, and picnic tables.

College Hill Park

As you stand in the center of the lovely greenspace that is the Outdoor Nature Center, it is hard to imagine that this was once the site of St. Joseph’s Hospital, better known as Sisters Hospital. One of the earliest and busiest hospitals in the city. By the 1950s, the hospital was obsolete and plans were made to build a new facility in another part of town. By 1989, the old building was sitting vacant and increasingly derelict. The question of what to do with the site became a pressing issue. In consultation with the neighborhood, the decision was made to create an outdoor nature education center “returning natural plants and vegetation to the land while allowing students and neighbors to shape the landscape of the project.” The city issued a request for proposals to create the site in January 1996. In 1999, a gazebo was added to the site. Today there are meandering walkways, lovely plantings, benches, and a large gazebo.

Located in a historic neighborhood in the Cathedral Hill Historic District, the Urban Outdoor Nature Center offers a wonderful place to relax and contemplate the history and architecture all around you. It is located in the Cathedral Hill National Register Historic District and sits on the site of the former St. Joseph's (popularly Sisters) Hospital.

Urban Outdoor Nature Center

The mid-1950s was a high point of Little League Baseball in St. Joseph. There was a lot of support and the number of community teams was increasing. In order to meet this interest, the city built a number of new ball fields, including Lions Field. Beginning in 1956, this field became one of the most used of the city ball fields. For a short time in 2015 and 2016, Lions Field was renamed Mason Adams Memorial Field. Today, it is used not only by Little League, but also by local high schools and it is a busy place. Summer evenings at Lions Field are filled with the sounds of fans cheering on their team.

Lions Field, located at 11th and Grand, is one of the municipal ball fields. It offers concessions and restrooms. It is one of the most popular places for youth ball games in St. Joseph and is a great place to hone your batting skills or to pull up a lawn chair and watch the community teams compete.

Lions Field

Mitchell Park, gifted to the city by David D. and Alexander M. Mitchell on May 15, 1855, is one of the oldest parks in St. Joseph. For many years it was one of the most decorative public spaces in the city. In the decades following the Civil War, several attempts were made to install a wooden fence around the park; however, these attempts were frustrated when citizens repeatedly stole the fencing for use as firewood.     In 1884, the park was leased to florist Daniel M. Reichard to be used as a site for a greenhouse. In December 1885 Reichard announced that the greenhouses were “built and are now ready for business. Our houses are light, commodiuous and conveniently arranged. Our stock of plants is composed of carefully selected varieties.” For several years, the Mitchell Park Greenhouse provided cut flowers and plants to the people of St. Joseph. The improvements to the site made by Reichard were believed to increase the value of the park. In 1890, Reichard’s lease expired and was not renewed by the city.     The plan in 1890 was to regrade the site, install a new fence, plant trees and build walks. As the site was improved and developed, it became an increasingly popular place for civic gatherings, notably summertime concerts by the Municipal Band. There was discussion of designating the park as a memorial park for those who served in the Civil War.     There was a downside to this popularity. The park became known as a favorite spot for disreputable behavior by the city’s criminal element. In June 1893, the St. Joseph Gazette stated, “The darkest spot in the city is Mitchell Park. It is the hiding place of a great deal that is disreputable, after darkness comes, instead of being a resort for families, as it should be. Criminals could hide in Mitchell Park after dark and escape the vigilance of the police.” A request was made to the City Council for the installation of electric lighting at the park. In October 1903, 17-year-old Will McDonald was fined $100 for “attempting to flirt in Mitchell Park with Julia Nolting. Besides, this, McDonald is said to have used insulting language towards Mrs. Nolting, when she requested him to desist, and followed it up by knocking Mr. Nolting down, when he attempted to interfere.” A decade later, the Gazette reported “an interesting story in which Bobby Wagh and our or five of his pugilist friends, including Kid Brown, the ‘Flying Dutchman,’ and Clyde Dwight figure, has been circulated about the city the past two days. It appears that Bobby and his companions attended a recent band concert at Mitchell Park, and while there, became engaged in an altercation with some of the young bloods of that vicinity. When the post office clock struck the hour of 12, the Waugh crowd was in the downtown district of the city, having been chased to the lights by the Mitchell Park crowd.”     In 1919, the city began a program of improvements at Mitchell Park. A bandstand and shelter house were built. Famed landscape architect George Burnham designed a colonnade and fountain for the park which were completed in 1921. The colonnade was comprised of a row of four large concrete columns on the south side of the park with a decorative urn, from which water spilled into a semi-circular pool. The whole installation was flanked by concrete seats with a background of cedar trees.     Today, Mitchell Park is an inviting open green space.

The lovely open two-acre green space at 10th and Duncan boasts welcoming shade trees and plenty of benches on which to sit and enjoy the atmosphere of one of St. Joseph’s oldest neighborhoods. Duncan Street, which forms its northern boundary, is one of the few remaining brick-paved streets in the city.

Mitchell Park

In 1925, the heirs of Huston Wyeth gave the city of St. Joseph a 26-acre tract of land on Prospect Hill for use as a park to be named in his honor. Huston Wyeth was born on July 8, 1863, in St. Joseph to William and Eliza Wyeth. William had made a fortune in the hardware business and Huston followed in his father’s footsteps. He took an early interest in business, investing in cattle at age 17. This interest led him to attend the Racine Business College in Racine, Wisconsin. When he came back to St. Joseph, he went to work in the family business, Wyeth Hardware. He was made Vice-President in 1888 and he took over the reigns of the business upon his father’s death in 1901. Huston founded St. Joseph Artesian Ice and Cold Storage Company, Blue Valley Creamery Company, and Standard Vitrified Brick Company of Coffeyville, KS. He had dealings in real estate, railroads, and utilities. He married Leila Ballinger in 1883 and the couple had four children. Wyeth became a renowned breeder of German Shepherds, mastiffs, cattle, and trotting horses. He built the substantial Wyethwood Estate on Frederick Ave. (completed in 1922). He died at his winter home in Miami, FL.    The citizens of the north side of St. Joseph were greatly excited by the possibility of this new park. In August 1925 when the City Council met to formally discuss and vote on accepting the gift, more than 150 people attended the meeting to encourage the Council to vote yes. The crowd carried signs and even had a brass band! Not surprisingly, the Council accepted the gift. Quickly, Huston Wyeth Park became one of the most beloved parks in the city, despite the fact that – at that time – the only access to the park was across a rickety wooden bridge. When the bridge failed in September 1928 after a heavy rain, the park was inaccessible for several months before the bridge was repaired.    The scenic nature of the park has made it a popular gathering place for nearly a century. More than 4,000 people joined Mayor Louis V. Stigall at a band concert at the park in July 1928. Its wooded and hilly terrain made it a perfect location for scouting events. Since the 1930s people have gone to Wyeth Park to watch air shows at Rosecrans Airport.    Much of the current appearance of the park and the surrounding bluffs is a result of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Evocative stone shelter buildings built at this time are still there. This project included creating a new roadway to provide access to the park.    In the 1950s, improvements continued to be made to the park. The Wyeth Company gifted a shelter house to be constructed by the Lehr Construction Company. In 1954, the bridge providing automobile access to the park was in poor condition and the issue of safe access to the park once again came to public attention. The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic for more than six months. The Council agreed to appropriate $10,500 for repair work to the viaduct leading to the park.    In the mid-1970s the City decided to further develop Huston Wyeth Park into “a major element in the park system.” This development included the improvement of the access roadway, the installation of new restrooms, and new lighting.Between 2022 and 2023, Huston Wyeth Park received multiple upgraded amenities. The park acts as the southern trailhead of River Bluff Trails Park, a primitive trail destination. Connecting Huston Wyeth Park to the bluffs is the Bob Simpson Bridge dedicated in the fall of 2023 in honor of Bob Simpson (1933-2020). Mr. Simpson was a bridge-builder who, over several decades reached out and brought many disparate groups together for the benefit of St. Joseph and its citizens. He had a strong desire to elevate St. Joseph as the true gateway to the West due to the number of trails that crossed through this area, now known as the “King of the Trails.” While having a passion for the underserved, Bob was known as a visionary for what St. Joseph could become. He believed that the strongest partnerships occurred when businesses, government, and philanthropists worked together to make communities a better place to live. Instinctively, he understood that St. Joseph’s best future was connected to its colorful, historic past: those journeying west as part of the great migration, the role the Missouri River played in the lives of the early settlers, such as Joseph Robidoux, the Pony Express, and Jesse James. These extraordinary people and events sparked his imagination to bring residents and tourists alike along the path to bring the region’s rich past to the present. As you walk these historic trails, listen closely, you too may hear the stories of early Americans who traversed this land in search of opportunity and left greatness in their wake. Located where the playground was previously, a new mountain bike pump track can be found. It is split into two sections: balance bike-friendly tracks and more advanced. Funding has been secured to pave the tracks in the coming years. Multiple primitive trails can also be discovered. These new additions make for a prime location for nature lovers to escape the city.    Huston Wyeth Park remains a favorite destination for anyone who wants amazing views across the Missouri River, some bird watching, or a lovely hike.

Huston Wyeth Park is one of the most scenic places in St. Joseph. Situated atop the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River this wonderful park has inviting walking trails and picnic facilities. It is a favorite place to watch the annual air show at Rosecrans Airport and the 4th of July fireworks.

Huston Wyeth Park

Patee Park got an early start in Saint Joseph’s history after being donated to the city by one of its founders, John Patee, on December 8, 1855. Together with Smith Park, Patee Park has been described as the “nucleus” of the present parks system in Saint Joseph. Indeed, combining the age and location of the park, it becomes easy to see why it has become the anchor that it is today.           Patee Park is located across the street from one of Saint Joseph’s most treasured artifacts—the original Pony Express stables which is now the home of the Pony Express National Museum. The Pony Express’ first westbound rider, Johnny Fry, would have therefore begun his 90-mile contribution to the famed 10-day mail delivery route with an infant Patee Park and its original stand of cottonwood trees as his backdrop as he departed on April 3, 1860. The significance of this connection is echoed not only by the park’s monument dedicated to the Pony Express legacy (erected on April 3, 1913), but also by how the park has developed and been used in the years since.           Park commission chair D.M. Reichard led the initial development of Patee Park beginning in 1884. This development was initially met with opposition to the felling of healthy cottonwood trees. By 1889 however, the park boasted both its first fountain and commanded the esteem of nearby residents, with one area resident sharing their opinion in the Saint Joseph Harold, noting “in all the history of Patee Park it has never looked so well as it does at the present time.”The aesthetic of Patee Park continued to evolve as Saint Joseph moved into the 20th century. In 1918, it received walkways and a new fountain. The most striking feature of Patee Park and another symbol of Saint Joseph’s enduring status as a western gateway, Engine 5614, did not arrive until May of 1962. This 4-8-4 locomotive, donated by the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad, has survived days of its active passenger and freight service by a helping hand and grassroots care from a mobilized community. These efforts began as early as 1976, with both the Saint Joseph News Press and Gazette providing coverage of the restoration. With donations of time, materials, and labor, Engine 5614 was cleaned, repainted, and given a fresh look with new glass for its lights and windows.Attention to Patee Park’s economic and cultural significance was called upon again, from 1985-1986, when a park beautification initiative was spearheaded by the Pony Express Neighborhood Network (PENN). The restoration work brought further amenities to Patee, including new playground equipment, refurbished picnic sites, fountain repairs, and the gazebo which, today, is host to entertainment during many of the Pony Express Museum’s events and festivals. Echoing the nuclear sentiments from 40 years prior, members of PENN viewed Patee as central to the impression the city would leave on its visitors. Resident Carles St. Clair spoke directly to the heart of this significance, writing “nearly 30,000 visitors a year stop at the Pony Express Stables across the street. If they see a city park, they see Patee.” Indeed, in 2023 alone, the Pony Express National Museum drew visitors not only regionally and nationally, but from as far away as Canada, Chile, Frace, Germany, and Sweden.The attention garnered by Patee Park has not always resulted in efforts to improve or add to the park. In 1987, a representative from what would later become the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Museum sought to remove Engine 5614 for their own collection. Although this proposition was rejected by the City of Saint Joseph with a recommendation from then interim Parks Director Bill McKinney and additional community feedback, it highlighted a very real need to consider Patee Park’s sustained challenges in addition to its heritage.Throughout its lifespan, restoration work at Patee has been possible, in no small part, through the volunteer time, sweat, and collective efforts of a doting community. Much of the funding to maintain the park has come by way of community development grants or through fundraising efforts by private organizations and businesses. However, in the early 2000s, a crucial element for the long-term care of Engine 5614 was met when a volunteer group, Friends of the Park, and the Saint Joseph City Council reached an agreement to provide funding for the canopy which covers the locomotive today.Patee Park has continued to evolve in more recent times. In 2019, Patee Park was one of six parks to receive new playground equipment. In keeping with the storied history of the park, this playground received a “wild west” theme, and was the only playground selected to receive such a unique façade.While the sights and features may continue to grow and change, Patee Park has stood continuously as a beloved spot by generations of Saint Joseph’s residents. If planning a visit in the area, either for the annual PumpkinFest or any of the other area events regularly hosted by the Pony Express National Museum, visitors are invited to take in not only the wonderful amenities packed into this humble block, but to consider its rich history since 1855.

Patee Park is a one-block park framed by Seneca, Penn, 9th, and 10th streets. It is well known to the residents of Saint Joseph as the annual venue for PumpkinFest—a fundraising family arts festival hosted by the Pony Express National Museum which features food, live entertainment, craft vendors, and, of course, Pumpkin Mountain. Although the physical footprint of the park is small compared to Saint Joseph’s much larger parks such as Krug or Hyde, it would nevertheless be difficult to understate the significance of Patee Park in shaping Saint Joseph’s community and history. From the Pony Express to PumpkinFest, Patee Park has existed as a launchpad for connecting people, near and far, for well over 160 years.

Patee Park

Corby Grove is one of the oldest public park areas in the city. Corby Pond has always been a feature of the area. In 1928, as part of the improvement project of Corby Grove, the pond was renovated to accommodate ice skaters. It became a wintertime fixture for St. Joseph. The shore was lined with benches and log fires to keep skaters warm.     In 1931, a sewer pipe under the pond ruptured and the resulting sewage spill necessitated the draining of the pond. It took two years for the repairs to be made and the pond repaired.     These repairs made it possible for Corby Pond to be stocked with 1,500 fish from the Krug Lagoon and thus to become a leading fishing spot in St. Joseph, a position it still retains. The Park Department, working with the Missouri Department of Conservation, has regularly restocked the pond. Fishing derbies were popular, in 1950 and 1951 several thousand children competed in the annual derby. In 1951, the first fishing dock was built. A number of unusual catches have been recorded over the years. In 1952, two boys caught a 35-inch Northern Pike. In 1984, using a doughball as bait, Bill Dalton caught an 18-inch bass, a surprise as Corby Pond was more known for catfish at that time. Three years later, a five-pound shovelnose sturgeon was caught; it was assumed that the fish had gotten in to the pond after someone caught it in the Missouri River and released it in the pond. In 1991, two boys caught a nearly 35-pound flathead catfish in the pond.     The popularity of Corby Pond has made it a favorite place for beautification projects. In 1941, the Lilac Hill Marker was unveiled in remembrance of the founder of the Garden Club, Georgia Montague Bacheller. In 2000, the Bradley Trust Fund donated the bronze sculpture “Catch Me If You Can,” showing three children rollerblading.     In keeping with the increasing emphasis on green and sustainable practices, a rain garden was added to the Corby Pond area in 2014. Its purpose is to create a green infrastructure designed to help tread waste water and create a wildlife habitat.     In 2021 the City dredged Corby Pond once again in order to fix the sewer line under the park. The bottom of the pond was scoured at that time in order to increase its depth. Though the project took longer than hoped, it was completed in spring 2022 and has ensured that Corby Pond remains the community amenity it has long been.      Today, Corby Pond is always alive with activity and it is a wonderful place to walk, fish, or just watch the world go by.

Corby Pond, a part of Corby Grove (see separate entry), has long been one the primary fishing spots in the city. It is connected to the rest of Corby Grove by wonderful trails. One of the most charming public art installations in St. Joseph, “Catch Me If You Can,” is located adjacent to the pond.

Corby Pond

Albert Lee France donated the land for France Park in 1913 with the stipulation that it remain a green space and not be used for organized sports. This stipulation would become a point of contention several times over the years.     Albert France was born in St. Joseph on Sept. 9, 1880, to Charles Beeson France and Martha Washington McDonald France. The France family were extremely affluent, active in banking and investments, and Albert was given the best education that money could buy: he attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee; Columbia University in New York; and the Sorbonne in Paris. Before the First World War he lived in several European cities studying art. In 1909, while living in Geneva Switzerland he married fellow-artist Franziska de Cualtieri and the couple returned to St. Joseph where Albert went into the family business and began investing heavily in real estate. City Directories of the era indicate that he lived at 604 N. 27th St., a lovely home that sits across the street from the land that he would donate to the city as France Park. In the inter-war period, Albert’s real estate investment business failed, and he returned to his first love, art. He opened an art school in St. Joseph and worked as an art instructor for the WPA. Eventually he and Franziska moved to Washington D.C. where they both taught, and he died there on July 31, 1947.     The terms of the gift of land that created France Park carry the stipulation that it be retained as essentially undeveloped green space, with no developed facilities for sports or other recreation. That did not mean, however, that efforts were not to be made to make the park lovely and inviting. In 1914 the Park Department began to plant trees and sow the lawn. The next year, $1,000 of the Parks budget was set aside to construct walks and install lights at the site. In the early 1920s, the city operated a municipal ice skating pond at the park.     In the 1950s, there was a plan by city officials to install play equipment in the park, but it was quashed by the France heirs. In 1963, plans to construct a more permanent skating rink at the park came to nothing over concerns about the terms of the gift. In the 1970s the legal terms of the gift were under consideration, when residents in the area of the park began to complain to the city about young people playing football and baseball at the park. Mayor William J. Bennett stated: “I received four complaints yesterday morning. I had the police department request the youths to leave. Today I’m receiving complaints from the youth affected. I’m caught in the middle. I understand and sympathize with both sides. However, I am told the condition of the France grant of land to the city specifies it shall revert back to the heirs if used for recreation. At this point, I have no choice but to put a stop to such use.” Further discussion between the Mayor and the City Attorney came to the conclusion that informal games would be permitted at the park; but formally organized activities would still be banned. France Park was determined to be an appropriate place for local youth to play catch or a pick-up game of football.     The issue over the restrictions on the use of France Park continued; ongoing complaints about the use of the park cause the city to decide that the terms of the gift made the administration of the park too fraught. It began the process of seeking France heirs with the intent of returning the land to them; however, they were unable to locate the heirs, causing the park to fall under the control of the state. In 2008 the city sent residents in the neighborhood a letter that led them to believe that the intent was to sell the park, possibly to make housing development on the site possible. The City Council denied that they wished to build houses there, but they did indicate a desire to purchase the property back from the state for $1 in a deal that would void the terms of the original gift, making it possible then to build a shelter and install permanent recreation infrastructure. The neighbors made it clear that they wished France Park to remain as it had been since 1913. The opposition to the plan caused the Council to reverse its course and make the decision to leave the park an undeveloped green space.

St. Joseph has a lovely collection of small neighborhood parks which provide a communal green space for anyone who needs a place for peaceful contemplation. France Park, in the midst of a lovely historic residential neighborhood, is one of those gems. Its expansive lawn and mature trees make it the perfect place for a stroll.

France Park

Noyes Field has been at the center of the sports culture of St. Joseph since the mid-1940s. It received its official name in summer 1947 and from that time it has hosted a variety of sporting/civic events including concerts by the Municipal Band. Over the decades new facilities and upgrades have been made to the site to ensure that it provides a quality recreational experience. Because of its proximity to Central High School, the facilities at Noyes Field have long been utilized for high school events. This cross usage led to some squabbling in the 1960s and 70s between the city and the school district over who should maintain the facilities.     In 1925 one of the municipal swimming pools opened at this site. It was replaced by a new pool in 1954; city officials proudly extolled the benefits of the new chlorinator at the pool! In 2005, the decision was made to replace the traditional swimming pool with an Aquatic Park. At a cost of well over $2,000,000 the new facility with its lazy river, vortex pool, and water exercise entry opened that summer to rave reviews! It has remained a favorite of water lovers ever since.     So, if you are looking for a great place to sweat a little and to cool off on a summer day – the Noyes Sports Complex is just the place!

Spread across 23 acres, the Noyes Sports Complex offers a wide array of sporting facilities. These include 12 tennis courts, horseshoe courts, basketball courts, an exercise trail, bantam football fields, a ballfield – all with seating and concessions. A highlight of the complex is the Aquatic Park with its pool and lazy river it is a wonderful place to spend a summer day!

Noyes Sports Complex and Aquatic Park

William George Fairleigh (1830-1912) made a fortune in dry goods in the last half of the nineteenth century. Eager to demonstrate his wealth, he and his wife Alice built a substantial home in the 2700 block of Frederick Avenue. In January 1911 Alice died at the home. One year later William died there as well. The bulk of the estate, including the substantial home, was divided between their children. The heirs decided to raze the family mansion and develop the land for housing. In doing so they stipulated that the area that is now known as Fairleigh Terrace Park be retained as undeveloped green space. The city did not accept jurisdiction over the parks until 1949. Since then, this little oasis has been a favorite place for gatherings. The Performing Arts Association began a series of outdoor concerts during the 2020 pandemic; the first, on October 4, was held at Fairleigh Terrace Park.

Situated just off the attractive commercial corridor of Frederick Avenue, Fairleigh Terrace is one of the loveliest residential areas in the city. Fairleigh Terrace Park is an attractively landscaped half-acre of green space that provides the perfect place to lounge under the mature trees and enjoy the quiet.

Fairleigh Terrace Park

Parkway A and Mary Park were developed as part of the extensive parkway system in St. Joseph, developed in the early part of the 20th century. The park opened to the public in 1916. It quickly became a favorite gathering spot, hosting picnics, ball games, and scout events. It has long been a favorite place for sledding in the winter. In 1964, students at nearby Bliss School marked Arbor Day by planting two crimson maple trees in the park.     In 1921, a charming wading pool and sand pits were built, promising hours of carefree fun for the children. There is a less appealing side to these amenities, however. These facilities were subject to the Jim Crow restrictions; the wading pool was whites only from Wednesday to Sunday; Black children were allowed only on Monday and the pool was closed on Tuesday for cleaning. The wading pool and sandpits were filled in in 1945 when a swimming pool was built at 26th and Angelique Streets.     In 2018, Mary Park was one of the parks chosen to receive upgrades to its playground equipment. A wonderful play structure was installed in 2019.

Mary Park located on Parkway A is part of the Parkway system. This 13 acre park has picnic tables, a playground, and a hiking/biking trail. There is lots of open space for play. It was once the location of a municipal swimming pool. Today there is an inviting playground and mature trees to enjoy.

Parkway A and Mary Park

The Remington Nature Center was the brainchild of then Parks Director Bill McKinney. It was a dream that did not come cheaply – it took many contributors to make it a reality. One of the largest of those donors was Wes Remington, a St. Joseph businessman. Remington’s significant support of the project is acknowledged in the name of the nature center. The center opened in November 2008 to rave reviews. Its location is one of its great assets – the huge windows and deck area offer unparalleled views of the river – but also a challenge. The Missouri River floods in 2011 and 2019 both required that the facility be temporarily closed. Its architecture means that the building itself did not flood.Since its opening, the Remington Nature Center has continued to change and to offer engaging, innovative family-friendly events. The annual Herp-O-Rama offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with amphibians and reptiles. The Remington Nature Center, “where history and nature collide” is a wonderful place to spend several hours.

“Where history and nature collide!” The Remington Nature Center is a visually stunning facility located on the banks of the Missouri Theater. You know you’re somewhere special as soon as you walk through the door and are greeted by a wooly mammoth! The Remington Nature Center tells the history of northwest Missouri through a better understanding of the rich biodiversity of the region. Featuring a 7,000 gallon aquarium with native Missouri River fish and live reptiles, the Remington Nature Center offers experiences like no other in the area. Open daily, there is a small admission fee. Be sure to visit the gift shop!     The Nature Center offers a terrific place to park and begin your exploration of the charming River Walk. The River Walk is a level, hard surface trail that takes you along nearly 2.5 miles on the banks of the Missouri River, ending at the foot of Francis St.

Remington Nature Center

: Rest Square Park is located on land donated for the purpose by Willis R. and Minnie Munger in 1909. Willis was a real estate developer responsible for many of the residential subdivisions in the rapidly growing area around 22nd and Pacific Streets in the boom era following the First World War. During his career in St. Joseph, he built 700 houses located largely in the Hansen Heights and Munger’s Addition subdivisions.Munger was born on January 17, 1876, in Elroy, Illinois. After attending Lane University in Lecompton, KS, he moved to Kansas City where he worked for a livestock commission company. From there he moved to St. Joseph to work for the Clay, Robson and Co. commission company. After two years, he was ready for a new challenge. Partnering with James Burnham, he started Burnham-Munger Manufacturing, producing clothing in Kansas City’s garment district. Following the end of World War I, he recognized the need for affordable, attractive housing for the growing middle class and he stepped in to fill that need in both St. Joseph and Kansas City. He is recognized as a visionary in suburban development.He married Minnie Lee Burgess in 1893 in Kansas City. They had two children and lived in Kansas City at 3616 Bellview Avenue [this later became the residence of noted artist Thomas Hart Benton and is open to the public as a state historic site]. Munger died unexpectedly in 1925 while on a business trip to Gary, Indiana. He was only 55 years old.While platting the Hansen Heights subdivision, Munger set aside 2.5 acres to serve as a “public rest square” to for the free use of all inhabitants of St. Joseph. The residents of the area around the park appreciated it as a place of tranquility, so much so, that in 1926 they requested an injunction from the City Council to prohibit the playing of tennis there because they believed that the tennis courts were creating a dust problem and that errant balls were doing damage to flower gardens in the area. In the 1960s, the issue was baseball in the park. In 1971, there was talk of the city divesting itself of the responsibility for the park. The Mayor, William J. Bennett, threw his support behind retaining the park as did the St. Joseph News Press in an editorial: “As cities grow, and more open space is covered with concrete, there is always a need for recreational areas. The addition of some playground equipment at Rest Square would make it ideal for the younger children in the area. Such neighborhood parks – designed solely for the enjoyment of young children – can be a real asset in any part of the city. Rest Square is within the area bounded by 22nd, 24th, Pacific, and Vories Streets. Spending a few hundred dollars on playground equipment and the small added expense of maintaining it properly, would be a good investment for the city.” In 2019, Rest Square was one of the small parks that received new playground equipment.

Rest Square Park, sometimes known as Vories Park, is a 2.5-acre green space located in the midst of a lovely residential district. With plenty of room to run and inviting playground equipment, this is grand example of a neighborhood park. It provides a place for all to enjoy just as Willis Munger intended.

Rest Square Park

Maple Leaf Park is one of the older of the ball fields in the city. On July 20, 1890, the St. Joseph Herald announced “The St. Joseph Greyhounds will cross bats with the St. Joseph Rabbits at the Maple Leaf Park in North St. Joseph, to-day.” In June 1897, “the best game that was ever played at the Maple Leaf Park” took place in front of more than 450 fans who turned out to watch the Rushville Browns lose to Maupin’s Pill Rollers! For more than 130 years, fans have gathered at Maple Leaf to cheer on their teams. In the early 2000s Maple Leaf Park was the site of the city’s skate park (a new facility is in the process of being built at the time of this writing).

Maple Leaf Park at Marion and Goff, is one of the small municipal ball fields which are busy hosting local Little League and other ball games. Maple Leaf has both concessions and restrooms. There is lots of open to play in -- perfect for throwing a frisbee or just taking a relaxed stroll under the trees.

Maple Leaf Park 

The name John Corby is familiar to anyone interested in St. Joseph history. Corby was one of the first occupants of Joseph Robidoux’s new town, arriving in October 1843. He immediately began acquiring land, making himself one of the wealthiest and most influential people in the community. In 1844, he bought 80 acres which form the nucleus for Corby Grove. The Corby family home, a suitably impressive house, was built on the site – it later served as St. Joseph’s first country club (sadly it is no longer standing).     After the wounds of the Civil War had largely healed in the city, Corby Grove became a popular gathering and picnic spot for the citizens of St. Joseph. In August 1894, the St. Joseph Brewer’s union held a picnic there: “Everybody is invited. Music, dancing and other amusements will guarantee a day of enjoyment to all who attend.” This popularity led to concerns that the gatherings were too rowdy. The News Press ran an article on August 4, 1894 headlined “It is Disgraceful,” complaining that Corby Grove had become the favorite haunt of the “tough element” of the city. Apparently the situation was rectified as Corby Grove continued to be a favorite gathering place.     In 1920, the city was planning the expansion of the park and parkway system, adding 224 acres. The addition of Corby Grove was at the heart of this proposal. There was some opposition to the plan, but ultimately the voters overwhelmingly approved it in a special election held on October 4, 1921. As the city engineers planned the route that the parkway extension would take through Corby Grove, great care was taken to retain the natural beauty of the site.     Corby Grove continued to be a favorite place. In the 1920s the annual ice carnival was held there, attracting thousands of participants. It was the venue for summertime performances of the municipal band. More recently, it has been the site of the “Haunted Grove” where visitors are taken on a spooky tour of the area.In addition to its natural attractions, Corby Grove provides resources for the more sports-minded of its visitors. In 1938, W.P.A. workers spread clay surface on the tennis courts; thirty years later a hard surface was installed with funding from the Bode Trust. Horses and their riders were allowed on the trails in the 1950s.The Park Department has worked hard to maintain a balance between developing the area and retaining the natural beauty. Their success in striking that balance makes Corby Grove a favorite for both those whose idea of recreation involves tennis or other facilities and those who want to enjoy the delights of the natural space.

Corby Grove is a 105 acre stretch of green space along the parkway. It offer picnic facilities, tennis courts, baseball fields with concessions, a fishing pond (see separate entry for Corby Pond), hiking/biking trails, and lovely natural scenery. It is a wonderful place to spend a day!

Corby Grove

Heritage Park opened officially in July 2003. Due to St. Joseph’s long-standing history with softball, having hosted national and world tournaments, the excitement for this new state-of-the-art facility was high. Over the years, the complex has hosted many softball games and tournaments, seeing play from youth teams and even the American Softball Association National Championships in 2002, before the park officially opened.            The park even gained attention from the Missouri Amateur Softball Association, receiving “Facility of the Year” award for 2005. The attention would not end here, as the complex’s popularity led to an NCAA Division II Championship being held in 2010. Softball was not the only event held at this complex, as in 2009 a Civil War reenactment was held, drawing hundreds of spectators.           The popularity of this complex seems to have remained strong, as it continues to host softball events and even some seasonal events, such as the Trunk-or-Treat even held in October of 2020. Its close proximity to the Missouri River makes it a wonderful place to enjoy a ball game!

Heritage Park is a 35-acre park holding five softball fields. Four of these are 300 foot fields and one sits at 250 feet. Within the park lies a playground, picnic area, concession stand, and scenic overlook. Some of the more functional facilities include restrooms, a shelter, and a meeting facility. Its close proximity to the St. Joseph Frontier Casino and the Remington Nature Center help ensure that the complex sees traffic even during the off-season for softball.

Heritage Park

In the late 19th and early 20th century, many businesses and well-to-do citizens donated land to the city of St. Joseph for use as public parks. In 1908, the Bartlett Brothers Investment Company donated 20 acres that became the nucleus for the current park; an additional four acres was added in 1921. This park was needed as the population centers of the city were moving eastward. Between 1908 and 1911, the Parks Department invested more than $10,000 in the development and beautification of the park. Elaborate landscaping and substantial structures were installed, making the park an immediate hit with the citizens of St. Joseph. In 1920, Independence Day was celebrated at the park with a parade of boy scouts. Political candidates used the park as a popular venue for speeches and rallies and churches held services under the trees during the summer. During fine weather, the park was regularly used for family reunions, jolly picnics, and club meetings. It has also been the site of several events marking the Christmas holidays.	The landscaping was such that noted landscape architect George Burnham, who was advising the city on its parks and parkway system, suggested that Bartlett Park be the site of a botanical garden. A large stone pavilion, designed by noted local architect Rudolph Meier, served as the site of numerous municipal band concerts until it was demolished in 1947 due to the disintegration of the stone. The original path that wound its way through the park was open to both those who wanted to take a stroll as well as those who wanted to ride their horses.      In the 1950s, improvements to the park included the construction of a new restroom building, new picnic facilities, and the installation of a playground on the top of the hill on the east side of the park. In 1956, responding to citizen concerns about “beer parties” the flower beds and rock drive at the northwest corner were removed.     In 1956, the Park Board designated land at the top of the hill in the park for use as a Little League ball field. In 2002 St. Joseph’s new high school baseball field was constructed at the park. To this day, Bartlett Park has some of the most popular ball diamonds in the city.     Central to Bartlett Park’s identity is its long-standing commitment to inclusivity and diversity. In 1973, events associated with Black Week activities sponsored by the Black Citizens for Progress were held at the Park. In 1977, the “Walk for Mankind,” an event to support global healthcare began at the park. In 2014, a “Treehouse for Everyone” opened at the park. The $35,000 cost of the playhouse was funded by a number of community agencies and private donations. Its purpose was to provide a place for children of all abilities to play together. In 2017, the old – traditional – playground was removed and a new, inclusive playground connected to the treehouse was installed. In 2020 in the midst of the pandemic, ground was broken for a new shelter sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. These together make Bartlett Park a place that welcomes everyone!

Bartlett Park is one of the most developed and appealing of the neighborhood parks. Covering 24 acres in a charming established residential neighborhood, Bartlett Park truly has something for everyone. There are lovely picnic shelters and tables nestled under the mature trees and within the charming landscaping if you just want to sit and enjoy nature. The hiking/biking trails on the site take you through the park and there is plenty of open space to run or throw a frisbee. There is an inclusive playground that welcomes everyone to enjoy themselves. Two lighted ballfields with restrooms and concessions have made Bartlett one of the most popular sites for baseball and softball in the city.

Bartlett Park

The poet Eugene Field lived in St. Joseph for only a short time in 1875, but it was long enough for him to commemorate a country road and, more importantly, to get married. The city has long been proud of its connection to Field – in addition to the marker, an elementary school and a major street are named after him.     The marker took a long time to come to fruition. Planning began in October 1937, with a city-wide drive to collect funds. This initial effort did not produce results and the plan then went to the back burner until it was resurrected in 1971 by the St. Joseph Historical Society. Once again, however, good intentions did not result in a marker. It was not until 1993 that the dream was actually translated into bricks and bronze through the efforts of the Lovers Lane Association. The marker features lines from the poem: “A proper horse goes slow/In those leafy aisles, where Cupid smiles/ In Lover’s Lane, Saint Jo.”     Today, the marker occupies a lovely green spot along the walking trails by the Northwest Parkway. There are benches and shade trees, so take a few minutes to sit and consider how lovely life can be.

Located at Lovers Lane and the Northwest Parkway, the monument to the poet Eugen Field and his famous poem, “Lover’s Lane, St. Jo,” provides a lovely place to sit and contemplate life, love, and poetry.

Eugene Field Marker

In the mid-1960s, boosters from north St. Joseph approached the city with the proposal to create a recreational complex in that part of the city. It took some time, but in 1971, the City Council approved the initial construction of the complex. It quickly became the center for recreational activities such as Little League Baseball, slow pitch softball, basketball, and swimming. Over the years, the location of the playing fields and the types of amenities offered have shifted as the city’s needs have shifted. But through all of that change, the Northside Complex remains one of the best places to go if you want to play.

The Northside Complex, located at St. Joseph Avenue and Karnes Road, close to Krug Park, is one of the most extensive recreational areas in the city. Stretching over 25 acres, it offers picnic areas and shelters, ball fields, tennis courts, racquetball courts, basketball courts, a playground, a swimming pool, horseshoe courts, football field, and hiking/biking trails.

Northside Complex

South Park, the area of the city between Walnut St. (north), Commercial St. (south), 11th (west) and 22nd (east) was one of the residential areas that emerged in the early 20th century to house the workers at the nearby industries. In the first quarter of the 20th century many neighborhoods and businesses put together baseball teams that played on the fields throughout the city. In March 1917, the St. Joseph Gazette announced “The South Parks will reorganize during the coming week and an effort will be made to make the South Park field on the best playing grounds in the city.” In May of that same year, “The Street Railways defeated the Bell Telephones in a hotly fought and well played game on the South Park field yesterday. The game was a pitching duel from the start … The crowd was large.” Many of those in the crowd took the South Park trolly car in order to attend the games.     The popularity of the neighborhood and business-based ball leagues continued through the years surrounding the Second World War. In 1936, the Park Department “announced elaborate plans for one of the best lighted fields in the Middle West to be located on the South Park field. It will be ready on May 1 for the opening of next season.” In 1937, the bleachers at the field were given an upgrade. The ball games were very popular, and in 1940 the Mayor threw out the opening pitch at South Park field.     In the mid-1960s, South Park field was named in honor of A.L. “Pop” Drake. Since the 1930s, Drake, a postal employee, had been a fixture in St. Joseph sports, with a particular passion for statistics. The field was officially named Drake Field at the 1966 softball season opener.     Since the 1970s, the teams that take the field at Drake and South Park are less the neighborhood and business teams of fifty years earlier, but more officially organized and school-based teams. In 2020 the Midland Empire Sports Association gave a substantial grant to improve the complex.	Both baseball and softball remain very popular and during the summer the stands at South Park and Drake are filled with enthusiastic supporters cheering on their teams!

South Park Complex and Drake Field are part of the group of municipal ball fields found in neighborhoods throughout St. Joseph. The field at South Park is one of the oldest fields in the city. This 40-acre complex has three lighted ball fields, a playground, concessions/rest rooms, and a biking/hiking trail.

South Park Complex and Drake Field

The roots of Phil Welch Stadium extend much deeper into our local history than its 1939 opening would initially suggest. Two semi-professional teams, John Albus’s Red Stockings and Nin Alexander’s Maroons were contending for a spot in the Western League as far back as 1886. With the Red Stocking’s massive defeat, the two teams were combined. Professional baseball games then called various fields home in Saint Joseph until it fizzled out completely in 1926.	The year 1930 saw the construction of a modern ballpark, located on Messanie Street, for use by the St. Louis Cardinal farm team and a resurging interest in baseball. This renewed interest in baseball was particularly noteworthy as the park facility burned only a year later. Baseball persevered, however, as fans purchased tickets to watch games held within the burned-out ruins from an overlooking hill.	This spirit held until 1935, when a court order forced the closure of the ballpark ruins as a public nuisance. Baseball again went dormant until the arrival of two smaller parks with the 1939 season. The professional quality City Stadium, located along the Southwest Parkway system, was opened later in the same season. In the years since, Phil Welch Stadium has hosted at least six Hall of Famers, and it was here that a young Saint Louis-native, Yogi Berra, became the first high school player to send a ball rocketing over Phil Welch’s fence during the 1943 American Legion Tournament, a distance of 420 feet. Later, in 1980, the City Stadium was renamed the Phil Welch Stadium in honor of mayor Phil J. Welch (1936-1946).	Although Saint Joseph’s interest in semi-professional baseball has continued to wax and wane in the years since, our stadium has survived, and continues to host a multitude of activities in addition to baseball, from boxing and music festivals to weddings.           Located next to Phil Welch Stadium along the parkway is yet another of Saint Joseph’s important sporting treasures—the George J. Bode Ice Arena. The Bode Ice Arena was a multiyear project. Construction by the Brooner-Thomas Construction Company began in 1973. This indoor winter sports facility was named in honor of banker and noted Saint Joseph philanthropist, George Bode Jr. (1868-1955), whose charitable trust had then provided for the $1 million facility (roughly $5.7 to 6.9 million in 2023 dollars).           After extended planning, inspection, and approval by the City Council, the arena first opened its doors to the public on October 3, 1975. The continued funding of the Bode Arena remained a point of contention among city officials for many years afterward. However, just as with the Phil Welch Stadium, the Bode arena’s public popularity has proven to be a community staple and a capable launchpad for stardom.	The Saint Joseph Figure Skating Club was chartered by the United States Figure Skating Association in 1977. In March of that year it achieved noteworthy regional marks, with members placing between 2nd and 7th place throughout various events at the annual Creve Coeur Ice Skating Competition in Saint Louis, MO. Hockey also gained traction among youth, with 2 youth divisions by 1978. They hosted their first tournament in February of that year—with teams from Columbia, Wichita, Kansas City, and Saint Joseph competing.	Ice sports, and most notably figure skating, have continued to thrive in Saint Joseph into the current era. The talent that would be produced in Bode Arena continued to grow. In 1996, a 16-year-old, Bode arena-raised Ryan Bradley would leave Saint Joseph for Colorado Springs. When a seasoned Bradley returned in 2011 to hold an ice show, Live, with Ryan Bradley, and in 2017, to host skate sessions in conjunction with the Pony Express Championships, he would be a Skate Canada International silver medalist and the US national champion.	Bode Ice Arena continues to host champion talent. In 2019, Gracie Gold, originally of Springfield, MO, a 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic bronze medalist and two-time US national champion hosted a coaching event as part of her Road to Gold Skating Camp. Both skaters have communicated the strength of community-based skating centers in fulfilling their dreams.	Indeed, as the years have passed, the Bode Ice Arena has continued to grow in exciting ways. The Saint Joseph Curling Club was founded in 2012. This club continues to draw in would-be athletes, young and old, to try their hand (or broom, perhaps) at the fun and curious sport. And for those who, equipped with mittens, would rather enjoy the fun from the stands, the mayor’s annual Christmas party continues to be a popular event, featuring a free skate, a visit from Santa Claus, and performances from local, competition, and collegiate skaters.	The latest addition to the growing collection of the community’s multi-sport complexes is the Saint Joseph Recreation, Exercise, and Community (REC) Center. This 33,000 square-foot facility was opened in July of 2012. It served as a replacement for the Muchenberger Center, then a recreation facility housed within an aging paint and wallpaper plant, operating since 1936. The modern REC Center, although it does not bear the name of its replacement, nevertheless carries his legacy of bringing a love of activity and exercise to Saint Joseph. In doing so, the REC Center brings the trio of complexes full circle. Long before Ryan Bradley, and even before Yogi Berra was trying his best to ruin windshields outside of the City Stadium— a certain 24-year-old Leo J. Muchenberger was, in 1891, playing baseball with the very same crowd that started it all.

Together, Phil Welch Stadium, Bode Ice Arena, and the REC Center make up the core of Saint Joseph’s public fitness and sporting facilities. The many league and winter sports provided among them ensure that all community residents, young and old, may enjoy the benefits of an active and engaging lifestyle. Phil Welch stadium is the home of the St. Joseph Mustangs, a minor league baseball team.

Phil Welch Stadium, Bode Ice Arena, and the REC Center

Krug Park is one of the oldest public parks and largest in St. Joseph, starting as a 20-acre gift of land to the city in 1888 by businessman Henry Krug Sr. and his brother William. The Krugs stipulated no intoxicating beverages were to be sold on the grounds, nor any gambling permitted. After another 20-acre donation, the park opened to the public on September 1, 1888. On the day of the park’s opening, St. Joseph citizens could pay a 10-cent round-trip fee to take the electric street cars to and from the new park. The Krug family made additional gifts of land, ultimately increasing the size of the park to its current 162-acres.           The park gained popularity quickly as a place for sightseeing and attending free concerts. During the winter months, ice skating in the park became a popular activity, people of all ages went to the park to skate with friends and family. After Krug’s first winter, landscaping and building efforts began. This early phase of the park’s development was largely the brainchild of the Superintendent of the Parks Department from 1887-1917, Rudolph Rau. Under Rau an ambitious landscaping program was undertaken, a large greenhouse built, and and a charming bandstand erected. Krug Park became the place to go on a summer’s evening to enjoy the flowers and enjoy live music, including an opera sponsored by the St. Joseph Traction and Lighting Company in June 1895!            By 1890, the park had achieved popularity for outdoor activities, giving the citizens of St. Joseph a place to stroll and to enjoy an escape from the growing city. That year, the Park Board proposed the addition of a menagerie to Krug Park’s attractions. The plan was to initially introduce an elephant, with the restriction that it was not permitted on the grass. The menagerie opened in 1896 and remained a popular attraction for many years.            Prior to the First World War, Krug Park was the site of two murders. In September 1895, Lafe Holland, a paper hanger, was stabbed when he was attacked by a group of five men. Thomas F. Harris killed his sweetheart, Madeline Rowbotham at the entrance to the park in July 1913. Harris, a 29-year-old streetcar conductor was angry that Madeline had refused to marry him and was seeing another man. He ambushed her and slit her throat with a razor. Despite these tragic events, the park’s popularity remained strong, and development of its many amenities continued.           The 1920s were a period of real changes in the appearance of Krug Park. The Parks Board with the assistance of George Burnap began planning the installation of several of its largest features, the Refectory and Children’s Circus, the Krug Park Bowl, and the lagoon.           In 1922, the Children’s Circus was completed. This was an elaborate play area featuring two 42-foot slides. That same year work began on the Renaissance-style structure known as the Refectory; it was intended to be a grand concession stand. 	Kug Park’s amphitheater, the Krug Park Bowl, was completed in 1926 after five years of planning and construction. Designed by noted landscape architect George Burnap, the Bowl takes advantage of the natural landscape in the park. Krug Park Bowl is immense, with room for 40,000. Two years after its construction, the Bowl hosted a grand undertaking: the Passion Play. Scheduled for August 13, 1928, and the following eight days, this immense project required significant support from the St. Joseph community. This was to be the first American presentation of the Passion Play. With more than 150 sponsors and a cast of 1200, the anticipated audience numbers were projected to be the largest in St. Joseph’s history. The city requisitioned a large number of sheep and purchased two camels, horses, a camel, a monkey, and a donkey to add to the spectacle. The play was entirely in German, with a 60-person cast from Germany, and supporting players from St. Joseph and Kansas City. Over the course of the nine-day showing, an estimated 100,000 attendees went to watch this grand display. Despite the high attendance and the entry fees ranging from fifty cents to two dollars, the play’s expenses vastly exceeded the amount earned. This was not to say that the play was anything short of a phenomenon, however, as its memory still lives on.	One of the most beloved features of Krug Park, the lagoon, was constructed in 1928 and was ready for ice skating in January 1929. The 3-acre pond quickly became a favorite place to watch waterfowl and paths around its shores still attract walkers.	The attractions at Krug Park changed over the years, and the park became less formal. The menagerie closed, many of the elaborate plantings disappeared, and the greenhouse was demolished. They were replaced by playgrounds, picnic tables, and more extensive walking trails. Krug Park is fondly known as St. Joseph’s Crown Jewel and is one of the most popular parks in the city.

Spanning an impressive 162 acres, Krug Park is one of the oldest and most developed parks in St. Joseph. Among the amenities offered by the park are picnic areas and shelters, an amphitheater, an Italianate-style “castle”, playgrounds, scenic walking trails, and a lagoon that is regularly stocked for fishing. This charming park also boasts a history of holiday cheer. Between Thanksgiving and January 1, Krug is transformed into “Holiday Park,” filled with wonderful lights and decorations to drive through. An ambitious improvement program is underway for the park, funded by Parks Tax funds. What is already a wonderful place to spend a day is going to be truly spectacular!

Krug Park

The Lura M. Story Sitting Park was created in honor of the founder and first president of the St. Joseph Garden Club. Lura Story was born in St. Joseph on July 14, 1866. She married Dr. John Story and was a prominent member of St. Joseph society, active in many civic and art associations. Her passion was gardening and in 1922 she founded the St. Joseph Garden Club with eight charter members. Following her death in 1947, the Garden Club worked to create a fitting memorial to honor her. In 1964, the club decided to purchase evergreen trees and a small marker to be placed in an appropriate place in the park system. The location at Northeast Parkway and Ashland Avenue seemed to be the perfect place. With the addition of a bench, the Lura M. Story Sitting Park was born. In 1993, the Garden Club undertook a replanting and landscaping project of the site culminating with a re-dedication in October, described in the St. Joseph News Press: “With last week’s rededication of the Lura M. Story Sitting Park in a forest of pines near Ashland Avenue, members of the St. Joseph Garden Club made a little corner of our world a more beautiful place to be. . . The tiny oasis alongside a busy avenue was christened during a colorful outdoor ceremony with songs, fresh-cut mums, home-baked cookies and orange/cranberry punch served from a cut glass bowl set on a table set in the sun.” In 2011, the Garden Club took a formal interest in butterfly gardening and Monarch Watch certified the garden as an official Monarch waystation. Under the careful care and attention of the St. Joseph Garden Club, the Lura M. Story Sitting Park is one of the real gems of the St. Joseph Park System.

There are few places in St. Joseph that are more beautiful than Ashland Avenue. Lined with wonderful houses set in lushly landscaped lawns, Ashland Avenue is a favorite for walkers – both the two-legged and four-legged varieties. The Lura M. Story Sitting Park is the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by. This charming little space is cared for by the St. Joseph Garden Club and has some of the most beautiful plantings in the city.

Lura M. Story Sitting Park

In 1922, the City of St. Joseph leased land for the purpose of creating a municipal golf course to replace an older course that was not considered to be up to the level required. There were many avid golfers in the city and the course was immediately popular. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s it was the site of closely watched championship tournaments. The local newspapers frequently discussed the condition of the course, in the summer of 1928: “The Fairview (Muny) Golf Club course is in better shape than it has been for some time. Golfers who have a tendency to play around in the roughs have had a tough time of it on the east side practically all season and on the west side for the last month. The reason is that buckweed had about taken the course and it is difficult stuff to play out of. However, practically all of the roughs have been cut in the last few days and some greens which were a bit rough have been top dressed.”     The course saw increasing usage through the end of the 1920s and the 1930s. In 1929 the new club house with showers and lockers opened in order to accommodate the increasing number of players at the course. Not even the Great Depression decreased the attendance, “Golfing is one ‘business’ which held up very well in St. Joseph this year, despite the depression.” In the mid-1930s, the city utilized WPA and FERA labor to make improvements in several parks, including Fairview. They increased the length of the course, widened fairways, and made improvements to the greens.     On January 17, 1939, the citizens of St. Joseph were startled by this headline: “Body on Golf Course.” Con Duncan discovered the body of Edward Worley, a homeless man, close to the clubhouse. St. Joseph police had arrested Worley the day before and had taken him to the cells soaking wet. They released him early on January 17 and he died later that day. The coroner stated that “death was due to exposure which probably followed a sudden illness. . . Corner Tadlock is of the opinion that the man had some spell of sickness, perhaps a heart attack before he collapsed as there were evidences in the snow that he had floundered about before he fell.” The man was described as “emaciated and poorly clad. There were no marks of identification. He was five feet seven inches tall, weighed about 120 pounds and had dark to gray hair. He wore blue trousers, a white shirt, brown overcoat, gray hat and white shoes that had been dyed black.”      The condition of the course continued to be a point of concern. In the mid-1960s, golfers put pressure on the City Council to improve the conditions at Fairview. A plan to add more ponds to the course met with opposition as golfers contended that would simply slow play on the course. In summer 1989, a drought did such damage to the course that it was virtually unplayable. A grant from the George Bode Jr. Benevolent Trust in 1998 provided $100,000 to improve the greens at the course. In 2009 $1.1 million from the Community Improvement Program sales tax was allocated to do a substantial renovation of the clubhouse at Fairview.     Fairview Golf Course continues to host a number of tournaments and other events and is a much-loved amenity.

Fairview Golf Course is the municipal golf course for St. Joseph. With more than 200 acres, the 18-hole course of more than 6,300 yards accommodates players of all skill levels. Among the course amenities are a driving range, practice putting green, short game and bunker practice area, a concession stand and pro shop, and a banquet room. The course is open daily from 9-5, though hours of operation can vary according to weather conditions.

Fairview Golf Course

King Hill is important in the history of the area of St. Joseph for its connection to the Native American people who were there before Joseph Robidoux ever thought about building his trading post. The area has been the site of several archaeological digs that revealed thousands of artifacts from the Oneota and Kansa Tribes (many of which are on display at the St. Joseph Museum on Frederick Avenue). In 1917 a group of Boy Scouts from South St. Joseph put up the first flagpole on the site. Since then, the pole and the flag have been replaced several times. The King Hill Overlook is one of the best places to get a bird’s eye view of the city.

King Hill Overlook offers absolutely stunning views of the city, particularly the history Southside and Downtown. The 13 acre site has walking trails and a flag pole that is visible for miles. But it is the view that makes it a truly special place! When you stand on the Overlook you have a wonderful view of South St. Joseph and can look toward the spires of historic downtown.

King Hill Overlook

In 1968, the Community Presbyterian Church located on the northside of St. Joseph, decided to build a new church building and offered the site of their former building to the city for use as a park. The terms of the gift stated that the property was to be used as a park and would revert back to the church at any point when it is not utilized as such and the park was to be named Westminster Park. The city retained the structure that was in place on the site for use as a community center and installed playground equipment. After a bit of refurbishment, the community center opened in August 1970. For more than fifty years, Westminster Park has been an important asset to its neighborhood.

Westminster Park sits on the site of the former Community Presbyterian Church in the part of North St. Joseph known as Industrial City. It is a lovely three-acre green space that provides a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It is a valued amenity for the residents of the neighborhood which they are happy to share with anyone who wants to visit!

Westminster Park

The 23 acres of the Outdoor Nature Center on Diagonal Ave. in south St. Joseph is largely undeveloped. It is a large open green space close to the industry in South St. Joseph. It provides the visitor with ample elbow room to walk along its trails and to enjoy the wildlife that makes its home there. As you wander along the trails it is not hard to forget about the world just beyond its borders. If you are a keen photographer or bird watcher, the Outdoor Nature Center provides opportunities to capture lovely images and to experience the species that find refuge here.

Some places just brim with possibility; they are a place to wander, to connect with nature, to enjoy the peace and quiet. The Outdoor Nature Center at 5402 Diagonal Ave. is just such a place. There are paths to wander and trees to sit under, and lots and lots of quiet space to enjoy!

Outdoor Nature Center

The strip of green between Pryor Avenue and Alabama Street in South St. Joseph has been a much-loved amenity for South St. Joseph since the beginning of the 20th century. In 1906, the Parks Department hired a caretaker to oversee both Gordon Park and the parkland around Carnegie Library over the summer months for a salary of $50. Perhaps as a reflection of that affection, it was not unusual to find complaints that the park was not receiving sufficient attention from the parks department. Under the headline, “Neglect is Claimed,” on May 25, 1911, the St. Joseph News Press reported: “R.G. Rau, park superintendent, has a force of gardeners at work planning flowers and shrubbery and otherwise beautifying Carnegie library lawn and Gordon Park. These are two of the beauty spots in the South End in which residents take a pride. Aside from the floral donations, it is said, local citizens feel the parks have been neglected this year.” That same year there were complaints that cows were being allowed to graze on the parkland. It was alleged that Kate Billard and Mary Alexander allowed their cows free reign not only in Gordon Park, but also in their neighbors’ vegetable gardens! In 1937, local residents sent a telegram to the Mayor complaining that the grass at the park needed cutting.     In 1913, the community struggled with the poor behavior of some of those who frequented the parks: “Undesireables have caused any amount of trouble in the south end parks. They made Gordon park a place unfit for the general public, and lights were put in there and solved the problem.” Despite the challenges, the park remained a favorite place for local children to escape the summer heat; a report from the public playgrounds committee in 1915 noted that on average 262 children visited the park each day.     Gordon Park has been a favorite place for Southside groups to meet. In the summer of 1908 the Modern Brotherhood of America Lodge of the South End held an ice cream social there. Many churches held gatherings in the space. Students from nearby Hosea School held their May Day Fete there featuring “drills and dances by the pupils.” The Y.W.C.A. held its annual boys’ carnival at the park featuring a parade of decorated wagons, scooters, and bicycles.	The question whether to further develop the park by installing recreational amenities arose several times in the first part of the century. There were those who favored installing play equipment, pools, and tennis courts. Others preferred to preserve the peaceful open greenspace. In 1915, it was suggested that the park would benefit from the installation of a playground and wading pool; however, in the end, the decision was made to place those amenities elsewhere. In the early 1920s, a municipal skating pond operated at the park: “The space is divided by a narrow concrete driveway. The ponds are oblong, about eighty feet wide at the widest place. The larger course will be two blocks in length and the smaller one a block. A dike of earth is being placed about the park by the board of public works. The enclosed space will be flooded to a depth of six to eighteen inches.” The skating pond was illuminated by arc lights.     Perhaps the largest gathering at Gordon Park was in July 1918 when a huge temperance rally was held on the site. More than 1,000 people came to hear W.G. Beasley, the Anti-Saloon league superintendent, speak. They were further entertained by a band which kicked off the festivities by marching through the streets to the park. A male chorus regaled the crowd with prohibition songs from Billy Sunday. In his address to the crowd, Beasley linked support for Prohibition to the war effort, making the assertion that the brewing of beer is a traditionally German occupation and thus drinking beer could be seen as supporting our enemy; “The man who votes against prohibition is voting for the kaiser. The present issue is Americanism: We will vote for no one who is not 100 percent American.”     Today, the most notable feature at the park is the sculpture “Planting America.” Featuring a mother, father, and daughter (holding an American flag) planting an apple tree, this is a memorial to the immigrant community that has been so important to the identity of South St. Joseph. The sculpture by Claudia Packer was installed in 2009 and donated by the William J. Kenny Trust and South St. Joseph Progressive Association in honor of the Fisher Family. Herman and Julia Fisher came to South St. Joseph from Russia in the early 20th century and made a prosperous life for themselves and their family in South St. Joseph. The sculpture and the lovely park in which it sits is a wonderful representation of the hard work and pride that is so characteristic of the Southside.

Gordon Park is a lovely oasis of green between Pryor Avenue and Alabama Street. Its most striking feature is the wonderful sculpture “Planting America” which celebrates the contributions of the immigrant community. It is a lovely strip of green in the heart of a residential neighborhood in South St. Joseph.

Gordon Park

In July 1915, Calvin A. and Mollie Hyde gifted 10 acres to the city for use as a park. At the same time as that gift was accepted, the Park Board asked the City Council for funding to buy an additional 10 acres to the east- creating the nucleus of Hyde Park. The park soon became a favorite recreational space for the residents of South St. Joseph.     In 1925, famed landscape designer George Burnap submitted plans for the park and parkway system in St. Joseph. Among his most ambitious plans were those for Hyde Park which centered on making the park a zoological garden featuring a deer preserve, a giant cage for exotic birds, a bear vale, and a sea lion pool – these never came to fruition.     While no sea lion pool was built in 1925, a swimming pool for humans opened at the park in July of that year. It was replaced with a more modern pool in 1955. In 2021, responding to changing demographics, the swimming pool was removed and replaced by the Liberty Oak Splash Park.     Burnap was not the only famous name to design features for Hyde Park; noted local architectural firm, Eckel and Aldrich designed the new restroom building that opened in 1955.     Since its relatively small beginnings, additional land and amenities have been added to Hyde Park. It has long been a favorite picnic and gathering place for the citizens of St. Joseph. As home to the Southside Fall Festival each September and the South Pole holiday park, it attracts hundreds of visitors each year.

Hyde Park is the jewel of South St. Joseph. Spread over its 94 acres are a skate park, basketball court, six baseball fields, five shelters, a playground, three tennis/pickleball courts, and a hard-surface walking trail. In 2021 the Liberty Oak Splash Park opened, featuring five water features, dry playground equipment, seating, and restrooms. Admission is free. Since 1989, the Southside Fall Festival has been held on a September weekend in the park – featuring food, music, and vendors it is a highlight of the events calendar in St. Joseph. On Thanksgiving evening through January 1, Hyde Park opens as the “South Pole” featuring holiday lights.

Hyde Park

The City of St. Joseph accepted the land on North Village Drive for Northeast Park in 2014. This new facility has helped to fill the lack of public outdoor spaces in this rapidly growing part of the city. This park offers an innovative play area specifically designed to accommodate all children. It is a family-friendly space designed in a partnership with Buchanan County and the YMCA, reflecting the goals of inclusivity and diversity. It is located near the North Shoppes commercial district and the hotels off of the North Belt Highway. It is an inviting space in which to play or just escape from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding district.

Northeast Park is one of St. Joseph’s newest parks, helping to fill a need in a part of the city that has recently experienced both commercial and residential growth. Located near the Campus Family YMCA, the park offers visitors a pavilion, outdoor exercise area, an accessible play structure, and a hike and bike trail.

Northeast Park

Julius Hochman (1917-2007) had a passion for baseball; throughout much of his adult life he poured his heart and wallet into that passion. It was Hochman who first organized Little League Baseball in St. Joseph in 1954. In recognition of his community service, when the city developed a new park in the east side in 1980; it was named in Hochman’s honor.     Hochman Park is a much-loved amenity in the Deer Park neighborhood. Its ball fields are busy with youth baseball games all summer. In 2002, it received a new park shelter as part of an Eagle Scout project. In 2010, the George Bode Jr. Benevolent Trust donated $30,000 for the purchase of new playground equipment for the park. In 2019, Hochman Park received another facelift, with the installation of exciting new playground equipment as part of a larger project to install innovative playgrounds in neighborhood parks.

Hochman Park is a wonderful place to relax, have a picnic, and play. Its nearly 7 acres has a lovely playground with innovative new equipment, picnic tables and shelters, and ball fields. There is plenty of room to throw a frisbee or just relax in the shade of mature trees.

Hochman Park

On April 15, 1955, Katherine Ryan married Ben Vineyard, the beginning of a long and happy union. When Katherine died in 2010 Ben wanted to leave a lasting memorial to his wife. In 2015 he approached the city with a proposal to donate 20 acres of land on the east side of St. Joseph with the stipulation that it be developed as a park and named in honor of his wife. This generous offer helped to fill a real need for parks on the east side. Then City Manager Bruce Woody said of Mr. Vineyard’s proposal: “He’s doing a very nice thing for St. Joseph, which helped as a businessman as he went forward, but also a nice thing for his family, of course, by naming it after his late wife.” Ben Vineyard died in 2017, and his children continued to honor his dream by deeding an additional small portion of land to the city.	Since then, Katherine’s Park has been slowly developed as a park providing much-appreciated green space on the east side of St. Joseph.

Katherine’s Park is a small park on the east side of St. Joseph, located close to Hochman Park. It is a lovely green space to enjoy the outdoors and spend a peaceful hour or two. It is a lovely memorial to a much-loved wife in a part of the city that is underserved in terms of open green spaces.

Katherine's Park

In the 1960s, St. Joseph was expanding eastward. Shopping centers and housing developments appeared seemingly overnight. In 1961, prospective homeowners saw this ad in the newspaper: “Come on out this afternoon to Leonard Road Acres, where living is easy! You’ll see maintenance-free aluminum houses on spacious land-scaped lots, fronting on hard surfaced streets and served by city and gas and state-approved sewers.” Buyers were promised that for no down payment and monthly payments of $73.50 they could own a modern 3-bedroom ranch home. Leonard Road Acres promised all the benefits of modern suburban culture. That version of the American Dream included a park where children could play. For 60 years, Leonard Road Acres Park has provided a flexible greenspace for the community to enjoy.

Leonard Road Acres Park is a nearly 6-acre neighborhood park in the midst of the Leonard Road Acres neighborhood. It offers green space for open play and a playground for children. It is the perfect place to throw a frisbee or just relax and enjoy the sunshine with your favorite book!

Leonard Road Acres

Hawkins was born on November 21, 1904. He started taking piano lessons when he was five then switched to cello when he was seven. He permanently switched to the tenor sax when he was eleven. Interestingly, the tenor sax was not well regarded at the time and only played in vaudeville shows or as a substitute for the trombone in marching bands. Within a year, Hawkins was already playing professionally. In 1921, popular vaudeville blues singer Mamie Smith hired him to play in her band called the Jazz Hounds. He toured with Smith for about two years then freelanced for a while before joining an orchestra led by Fletcher Henderson. Louis Armstrong joined the orchestra in 1924 and he influenced Hawkins' playing style significantly. Hawkins became a top soloist by 1925 and he also played the clarinet and bass saxophone in the orchestra. Hawkins left the orchestra in 1934 and toured Europe for five years. During that time he performed with the Jack Hylton Orchestra in England and freelanced around the rest of Europe. He came back to America in 1939 with World War II looming and, despite being gone for five years, soon reestablished himself as one of the country's best saxophonists. That year he recorded his first famous song "Body and Soul." He recorded some of his best songs in the early 1940s and performed with a number of up and coming artists including Miles Davis and Dizzie Gillespie. From 1946 to 1950 he toured with the Jazz at the Philharmonic in Europe a few times. Other tenor saxophonists, such as Lester Young, had emerged in the 1940s and developed a newer style and as a result, some considered Hawkins's style outdated. Hawkins continued to perform and record, however, and grew in popularity once more in the mid-1950s as he took an interest in newer styles. A notable performance in this period was in 1957 when he played with trumpetist Roy Eldridge at the Newport Jazz Festival. In the early 1960s, Hawkins performed at the Village Vanguard jazz club in New York City and recorded with Duke Ellington and tenor sax player Sonny Rollins. Unfortunately, Hawkins succumbed to depression and heavy drinking by 1965. His work output diminished greatly and his last recording was in 1967. Two years later on May 19, he died of liver disease, leaving a wife, son, and two daughters.

This bronze statue commemorates one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of all time, Coleman Hawkins, who was born in St. Joseph in 1904. Created by artist Herb Mignery, it was unveiled in 2008, which was the tenth anniversary of the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival. Hawkins is known as the "father of the tenor saxophone" and performed with other great jazz musicians including Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and Duke Ellington in a career that spanned four decades. The statue depicts Hawkins playing his saxophone and is located in a park named after him.

Coleman Hawkins Statue

In 2016, the City of St. Joseph took possession of a 5-acre plot of land off Arrowhead Drive in the part of St. Joseph often referred to as the "Zoo." The surrounding streets include Safari Drive, Elephant Trail, Llama Lane, Cougar Street and Impala Street. It is a charming mid-century residential neighborhood. This undeveloped greenspace is maintained by the Parks Department as Arrowhead Park. To date, no amenities have been installed in this space making this pocket park a place of simple enjoyments. It is a place to enjoy the lawn, listen to the birds, and perhaps read a favorite book.

Sometimes all you need is an open green space to let your imagination run free! Arrowhead Park is just such a place. Absolutely perfect if you want to hit some balls, play frisbee, or just sit and contemplate life. Arrowhead Park is one of the relatively undeveloped pocket parks located in residential neighborhoods around St. Joseph.

St. Joseph Parks and Civic Facilities

Fort Smith

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources