Adair Park

Every city can make the most of what they have with a little creative imagination, regardless of size, population or location. Just like Stilwell, they can implement a large or small scale pocket park in under-utilized

areas. Under Mayor Jean Ann Wright’s leadership, the City of Stilwell has addressed clean up with beautification opportunities, and worked hard to address eye sores such abandoned or derelict properties, and broken vehicles on the lawn, which often include trash and tall grass.

A small, corner lot on the main intersection of downtown was not a welcoming sight, having been vacant since the building burned down

and the property cleared.

A pocket park seemed like the perfect fit for the location.

After months of planning, coordinating and some hard work, the eyesore has been transformed into a place of beauty. Today it is a welcoming place to relax, enjoy lunch, or a front row seat for an event held across the street at the Kiwanis Stage on the Adair County Courthouse lawn. It includes a playground area, rock water fountain and memorial brick

walkway. A Little Library for sharing books has also been added. Shade sails billow over the picnic area offering a comfortable place for people watching. Decorative rock post fencing utilized rock recycled from the old Fletcher Hardware exterior.

An architect designed the $350,000 project, and many volunteers and partnerships made it a success, including the Stilwell Kiwanis club, Chamber of Commerce, City of Stilwell and Stilwell Utilities. Some of the other workers included Benham Brothers, Ronnie Hale, T&T Masonry for the rock wall, and the City of Stilwell Street Department. Fourkiller Lawn Service did the landscaping. The Chamber of Commerce sold stamped, concrete tiles for a memorial walkway as a fundraiser and to add history to the space. Bricks were $50 for a 4x8 or $100 for an 8x8. The Carson Foundation and Carson Community Bank donated to purchase the 36

foot LED animated and musical Christmas tree.

Citizens purchased metal with powder coated benches, trash cans or picnic tables that have family names featured in the design. One citizen donated a Little Library in the name of her grandmother, who was a world class volunteer and local civic leader, for the park.

With so many downtowns dying, this park will complement downtown, said Robert St. Pierre, local CPA and Kiwanis member, who took on

managing the project because he wanted to see it done, and right. “If we ask people to donate to a project, we want it done the right way,” St. Pierre said. Everyone who worked on this project donated some of their time, he said.

The weather was the biggest challenge, raining at least every three days for weeks. At Christmas it is the jewel of downtown with a 36 foot LED, musical beacon of joy.

Volunteer and Kiwanian Dan Collins said, “We felt like a park would help the most people.

“The city has done a tremendous job, working hard to clean up, condemning old buildings, properties and houses,” Collins said. “The park will help energize the downtown and start to look like we have a little bit of pride.”

Years ago as a City Council member, Mayor Wright began talking about a downtown park. Today Fletcher Park is a popular venue and it was the beginning of revitalization of downtown Stilwell.