This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Dunnegan Memorial Park. The City of Bolivar will commemorate this milestone in our community with a ribbon cutting and a kick-off celebration at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
Mayor Chris Warwick will give a presentation at the event, which will take place at the front gate of the park. In the event of rainy weather, the ceremony will be moved to the first pavilion.
On Feb. 28, 1923, the 40-acre property became a park when Thomas Hart Benton Dunnegan signed the deed for the land.
Marking this special moment in our town’s history, the City will be coordinating celebratory events at the park all year long, including a community clean-up day, fishing day, food truck visits, movie nights, and fitness classes.
“Throughout the year, we’ll be looking to the past, present and future,” said Jill Way, public information and media specialist for the City of Bolivar. “We want to look back at the park’s rich history, highlight the current crown jewel park of Bolivar and encourage the community to preserve our current parks system and form a vision for more parks for future generations.”
The City of Bolivar will also commence their 100 Miles for 100 Years of Dunnegan Memorial Park walking campaign, designed to welcome visitors to the park and raise funds for park restoration projects.
Through this campaign, local residents and visitors of all ages are invited to walk 100 miles in the park this year. For every mile walked, participants are encouraged to donate 10 cents or more to the City of Bolivar’s Parks Department. T-shirts will be available for purchase to campaign participants.
Area businesses can also sponsor the 100 Miles for 100 Years of Dunnegan Memorial Park campaign and will be featured on the back of the event T-shirts. Two sponsorship options will be available— a $100 donation or a $200 donation which includes a reduced price of $10 for business T-shirt orders.
To learn more about donations for picnic tables, park benches, and playground equipment in honor of the centennial milestone of the Dunnegan Memorial Park, contact Hannah Vodicka by email at hvodicka@bolivar.mo.us or by phone at 417-777-1215.
