Over 5000 volunteers worked for more than 5 years (and we're still volunteering!) to create 'a park for all' and memorialize an amazing man,

John William 'Blind' Boone.

Community, Being Part Of Something, Breaking Down Barriers. That's what it's about.

Mark and Sandy Irle worked together to make the park's renovation successful. Sandy is still working with volunteers and would be happy to hear from you!

Blind Boone Park was originally built during segregation for the black community. It contained a bathroom and two double sided BBQ grills. While renovating the park, we maintained that we should not forget the past and that we should create a new future for the park with that in mind. Oh, and we were able to save one of the original BBQ grills!

There wasn't much to it when we began our work!

The sculpture of Mr. Boone is NOW accompanied by a permanent sign with information on that incredible man. Created by sculptor Ai Qiu Hopen, the sculpture is made to be touched. This is part of the concept of the 'Sensory Walkway' which includes a 'Scent Garden', Wind Harp (artist Ron Konzac), water feature (sound) and more. A rope walkway for the blind is NOW installed and the signs are NOW in audio (2 stations) as well as in type.

There is NOW an instructional sign for each station in type and Braille. These match the bronze signs already in place in the park. Joan at Talley Amusements & Sign Co. in Clinton has been very helpful and supportive! Thank you Joan!

The audio sign by the sculpture has 18 excerpts from the Blind Boone radio play written & produced by Eddie Osborne for his show, "Eclectic Cafe`" on KTBG 90.9 FM, in support of the park project. The sign for the multi-use traill includes park history as well as a description of park amenities, recorded by our own Marion 'Woody' Woods of KOKO 1450 AM / KWKJ 98.5 FM Radio!! Many thanks to Eddie and Marion and their stations, for their help and continued support. Please tune in and listen!

ANOTHER NEW ADDITION!!: A drinking fountain with a standing height fountain, chair height fountain and dog waterer! We're very excited about that!

The 20' gazebo in the park is set up for bands with electrical outlets and a solid back wall. In the first few years of use we have already enjoyed many weddings plus other celebrations & reunions in the gazebo & making use of the park. This setting with its quiet beauty and lovely plantings is a wonderful place for any special day, and a place to make an ordinary day special.

NEW ADDITION TO THE GAZEBO! A new mural was added to the back of the gazebo this year! Come and check it out! It can be seen in the park and also from the train during 3 seasons of the year. This is just one of the Eagle Scout projects (Troop 400) in the park and we are very proud to work with our local scouts!

New garden area built by Boy Scouts in our area! (Troop 514) It's beautiful and we'll be planting succulents and things this spring...........ahhhhh, spring! (Photos courtesy of Kip's mom, Melissa Banner)

The Adopt-A-Garden program allows visitors to get personally involved with the park and volunteers to continue to feel connected. These small garden spots require just a few minutes a week while giving much pleasure to all who see them. Small signs naming the garden & who cares for it are placed in each spot. You can JOIN us by calling Sandy at 747-3268.

The above gardens have been adopted by (L) Connie Todd, "Climbing garden" & (R) Tami Ozias, "Sculpture garden".

Another volunteer opportunity is to help with the wonderful 'Flower Hund Prairie Area', established by Flower Hund and created by Marie Frye. Marie dedicated her time as a volunteer every week, Spring, Summer & Fall for over 4 years to make this special contribution to our community!

Thank you Marie!

The Johnson County, Missouri Master Gardeners have adopted the prairie! Now David Young, Maggie Stone and others work to keep the prairie alive and thriving. We hope you'll come and enjoy the constantly changing garden with its butterflies and beautiful colors and textures. With the continued support of Flower Hund, we are proud to present the community with this treasure.

The memorial bricks in the sidewalk facing the sculpture have been a way to remember loved ones and put your mark in the park. Thank you for purchasing the bricks! That area is full. We suggest that if you'd like to remember a loved one in the park that you donate for a tree or garden, and we will place a marker there in their honor.

You may also purchase a bench or picnic table, a bird-house or a piece of art for this purpose. Just call Sandy. (660) 747-3268.

Come and take a walk, enjoy the songbirds, sit on one of the many benches or tables, walk the reflexology path, look at the sculpture and other artwork and just slow down and be in the moment.

WELCOME ONE AND ALL! PLEASE TAKE TIME TO VISIT & ENJOY BLIND BOONE PARK!