Rest Square Park

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 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 22^nd 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 22^nd, 24^th, 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.

“Without Any Notice,” St. Joseph Observer, Sept. 25, 1925.

“Index File: Park Data & Ordinance Cards by Location, 1911-1972”

“Club For Opening Up Pacific Street,” St. Joseph Gazette, May 22, 1920.

“Dust or No Dust, Tennis Courts in Rest Square Will Be Reopened,” St. Joseph Gazette, May 16, 1923.

“Bartlett Slated to Retain Office,” St. Joseph Gazette, June 24, 1960.

“Neighborhood Parks,” St. Joseph News Press, July 7, 1971.

“Playgrounds,” St. Jospeh News Press, March 9, 2019.

Brendan Welch, “New Playground at Hochman Park Sparks Wider Project to Improve Others Within the City,” St. Joseph News Press, Aug. 2, 2019.