Years in the making, a Collinsville Town Square “mini-park” was first imagined in 2018 by Keep Collinsville Beautiful (KCB) when their historic Collinsville mural project was completed.
“We loved the mural,” KCB President Betty Graham said, “but felt the space in front could be a more useful and attractive part of the square.”
The mini-park idea was stalled by funding needs and Covid, but KCB drew up potential plans for the spot and petitioned the city’s EDC for funding in 2022. The owners of the adjoining
Donut Store agreed and the city, who holds a lease on the property, approved the venture. Then there was a catch: KCB wanted to keep the vendors local, but bids did not come in.
Finally in May of 2024, local brick mason Sam Hendrickson submitted his bid for the stone retaining wall, which includes electrical conduits for future lighting.
“Lighting on the mural was always in our vision, and that end of the square badly needs more light,” Graham said.
Now ducts are in place for lights pending additional funding.
First official use of the park was in September on Pioneer Day, although Donut Store customers could be seen before that sitting at tables eating their breakfast. Features of the space include movable picnic tables, benches and a large trash bin. Furniture was assembled by KCB members on-site, with “Keep Collinsville Beautiful” plates attached by Gary Roberts. As a finishing touch, Vicky Davis and Frank Maxwell de-rusted and painted the metal pipe bars in front of the mural.
With square improvement always on the KCB radar, there are plans for artist Daniel Norris to touch up the mural’s fading from sun exposure at the end of the year.
