Cunningham Park — Attraction in Joplin

I was just there today. I drove from Milwaukee too Tucson in a three day road trip. My 2nd day route took me right through Joplin so I decided to pay my respect and visit this park. What a beautiful park and what a nice job they did on the memorial. I went to the plaque with 161 people listed and said every single name out loud to show my respect for their deaths. It took me a while but it made me feel the gravity of all their losses by doing this. My eyes were full of tears by the time I was done, I had troubles continuing when I saw it was a family and a young child's name. Then when I was about done seeing everything, all of the sudden the tornado sirens went off. It was a very surreal experience to be in that exact place when they went off. I looked up at the sky and thought, no way, too cold, not very dark at all. Then I looked at my phone and it was exactly 10:00 AM. So obviously it was a test. They do this at noon in Milwaukee so it kind of threw me at first. Anyway, I thought I'd share the story. 100% true. There were a few other people in the memorial park at the time. I wonder how they felt. I can't lie, I felt scared at first, and felt the irony of it. Me in the memorial park when the sirens went off. I attached a picture of one of the plaques. Read it and get goose bumps like I did. My heart and prayers go out to all the lives that were lost and to their families and friends who were...

I was on the team that rebuilt Cunningham Park during the Extreme Makeover Home Edition event. It was episode #200, the last official show produced. I have a couple videos on my channel of the build if any of you want to check it out, please feel free. Bottom line, I live in KC and should a tornado come through KC (only 150miles north) I would hope like heck we would get the same response from our neighbors. It was the right thing to do, we were there for a week, and it was an emotional PACKED week to say the least. I am so very proud of being able to be there to help the community of Joplin. More than anything else, it was amazing to see, meet, and live with no more than what a lot of the people from Joplin had (if only for a week).. it was a humbling, and amazing experience. Words cannot describe it. And yes.. the playground freaking ROCKS! All built from raw stock, nothing more than an idea, a plan, and people from all over the US who came together, not knowing each other.. working HARD, LONG DAYS.. and no one who was there would think to accept a dime for it. I can only hope Joplin loves Cunningham Park as much as all of us who did.. who will never even get to "enjoy it" in the physical form :) Much love Joplin! -Nathan Deneault Atlas Coatings &...

This was a nice break with a playground (three stories!) and walking paths as we explored Joplin.

Cunningham Park was originally known as Cunningham Grove and was donated to the city by Thomas W. Cunningham, who was the mayor of Joplin at the time. Cunningham was a significant figure in Joplin's development, contributing to various sectors such as banking, mining, and philanthropy.

In 1897, Cunningham donated eight acres of land to the city for use as a public park. The deed was officially dated on July 5, 1898, and the park was dedicated in the early 1900s1. Cunningham Park became the first park in the Joplin Parks System.

Over the years, the park has seen many enhancements, including the addition of a fountain, playgrounds, a swimming pool, and picnic areas. The park was also a central location for community gatherings and celebrations1.

Unfortunately, the park was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado in 2011, but the community came together to rebuild it. Today, Cunningham Park stands as a symbol of resilience and community spirit.

We were here to walk around the park and to see The Miracle of The Human...