Freedom Park dedicated in Monett, site to hold memorial to Armed Forces

Monett city officials and community leaders gathered on Front Street in Monett on June 14 to dedicate the new Freedom Park on acreage adjacent to the Freedom Silo to serve as a public space for future use. 

The land east of Sixth Street is a historic industrial site, housing the Barnsley Brothers knife factory at the corner of Sixth and Front prior to 1911, and, beginning in the early 1950s, the Stevie Toggs garment factory. That factory’s building was last used as Don Dollar’s Ozarks Mountain Apparel factory prior to the 2009 flood. Banker Glen Garrett, property owner, donated the land to the city for a flood control project. 

The land between Sixth and Fifth streets, acquired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a flood buyout, is also being incorporated into the park. That land previously held the Frisco Hotel at Fifth and Front, later used as the VFW Post, and a farm implement business and auto dealership. The east end had been businesses owned by contractor M.E. Gillioz and later served as the city’s public works office and storage garages. Unlike the land east of Sixth Street, the west end is protected under FEMA terms that do not allow any construction that could impede future floods. 

In converting the land to the city’s park system, City Administrator Mickey Ary said the property could complement the Freedom Silo as a public space. The occasion provided an opportunity for Bob Berger and Jack Schulz from Monett Main Street to speak on that organization’s behalf about the Freedom Silo, its history, and the recent completion of putting a restored roof on that landmark. 

Among the special guests for the park dedication were Gerald Doennig, owner of the Ag Service Center that inherited the silo from the Whitlock-Lines business, and Raine Clotfelter, known as “America’s muralist,” who painted the eagle and flag mural on the silo. 

In dedicating the park, Mayor Randy Burke and Commissioners Ken Gaspar and Darren Indovina each spoke, dedicating the park's future use to those who have served in the Armed Forces. They thanked all who have served for their efforts. Representatives from the Hobbs-Anderson American Legion Post No. 92 and Tom Wolfe Memorial Post 4207 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars expressed their appreciation for the park. 

The VFW raised funds for a monument that will be placed on the east plot. According to Mike Gervais, city communications specialist, the monument will serve as “a kind of viewing area for the silo, creating a large green space from the downtown park and pavilion.” 

A National Guard unit and Boy Scout Troop were also on hand for the dedication.