ShareTransforming an unused space into a vibrant community destination and seeing the ripple effects continue has been quite an experience in this small town.
Thanks to the generosity of the National Association of REALTORS®, the Mark Twain Association of REALTORS® was able to utilize a Placemaking Grant to help transform an unused corner in the Mississippi River-front town of Canton, MO into the Veterans Memorial Park. The introduction of the new space has led to additional development and improvement to the area, benefitting neighbors and travelers alike, and has helped add value to the neighborhood and local property owners.
The Mark Twain Association of REALTORS® worked together with the city of Canton, the Canton Parks Board, Canton Main Street Association, the local American Legion, as well as local contractors, volunteers, and donors to bring the project to life. A new granite memorial stone, flagpole and bench seating have made this an honorable location to recognize and remember veterans from all wars, making this an important gathering site for school and history events. The dedication of this site was held on Veterans Day and was attended by all of those involved in the project, community members, leaders, and several media outlets. This provided wonderful exposure for our local and national REALTOR® associations and was a prime example of community involvement and collaboration.
This site is conveniently located just off busy U.S. Highway 61 and near the shopping center, which has made this an attraction for visitors passing through. It is widely used and appreciated by locals as well and has turned into a popular walking destination. Local residents appreciate the efforts to improve unused spaces and have shared their appreciation for the new memorial.
We are still seeing the ripple effects of this project. The city has recently installed a new playground area and swing set, and is working on additional cleanup of the area to add improvements—and possibly a shelter house for community events. This is a prime example of how one small step can lead to further community support and involvement, thus creating a valuable destination for years to come. It has also led to discussions between local REALTORS® and community leaders about future projects for collaboration.
Funding for this project was made possible by the Placemaking Grant from the NAR, a donation from the Mark Twain Association of REALTORS®, donations from other local real estate agencies and the Canton Parks Board.
The local REALTORS® and community alike are so appreciative of the Placemaking Grant program, and our local association is actively working on another placemaking grant for the 2024 year. Seeing the community support and appreciation makes this an incredibly rewarding project we are proud to be a part of.