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Arts Commission backs pocket‑park proposal for Maguire lot with sculptures, native beds
Summary
The Warrensburg Arts Commission agreed to propose a pocket park for the Maguire lot featuring wind art sculptures, a historic mulberry bed and volunteer‑maintained raised native beds; design mockups will be developed for City Council review this summer.
The Warrensburg Arts Commission on May 18 agreed to advance a proposal to convert the small Maguire lot into a pocket park that would feature several wind art sculptures, a mulberry tree bed and raised native plant beds maintained by volunteers and community groups.
Commission Chair Allison Robbins led the discussion of outstanding decisions — sculpture selection, exact sculpture locations, placement of a mulberry bench and a finalized budget — and reviewed three primary siting options identified in the draft proposal: the Maguire lot, West Park and North Maguire. Commissioner Liz Coleman also suggested an additional site near a planned Warrensburg sign beside Highway 50, but Mike Schrage of the City cautioned that site would require coordination and approval from MODOT and likely take months to clear.
Representatives from CEA described plans for native gardening at West Park and proposed raised beds at the Maguire lot. Allison Robbins confirmed water access at the Maguire lot; CEA’s Angela Palmer noted native plants would have low irrigation needs. The Commission also noted that the City estimated adding a small parking area on the Maguire lot would cost roughly $35,000 and that there have been commercial inquiries about the parcel, though it is likely too small for major development.
Commissioners and guests agreed to frame the Maguire plan as a pocket park combining public art and community gardening, with the option to add a small parking lot later. A mulberry sapling has already been planted at the Community Center as part of the project’s plantings. Allison Robbins will coordinate with CEA on site ideas and budgeting and, with Commissioner Melanie Johnson, seek a UCM interior‑design student to prepare a visual mock‑up.
Robbins said she intends to bring a near‑final draft to the June meeting so the Commission can consider forwarding the proposal to City Council for consideration later in the summer. The Commission listed the Rethink Maguire project as an agenda item for its June 15 meeting at 5:00 p.m. at the Visitors Center.
