Mt. Vernon is proud to have six parks, each with its own unique qualities and amenities.
Gary Ewing Park Located at 1225 E. Hwy. 174 at the municipal golf course. This park includes five picnic shelters, grills, a horse-shoe pit, baseball / softball field, playground equipment, screened-in pavilion, restrooms, clubhouse with storage and rental for golf carts. The park's entrance is shared with the municipal golf course entrance. The screened in pavilion may be reserved in advance at $10.00 per day. Please call City Hall @ 417-466-2122 to make reservations.
Gibbs Park Located at South Street and Hazel Street. This park holds the honor of being Mt. Vernon's oldest park. It includes park benches, basketball hoops, playground equipment, pavilion, picnic tables, 1935 community arena, gazebo, restrooms, and an amphitheater.
Kings Park Located at King Street and McCanse Street. With a wooded setting, this small park is located in a residential area and has playground equipment, picnic tables, and a basketball court.
Shafer Park Located at 800 Shafer Street. This small park is located in a residential area and includes picnic shelters, park benches, playground equipment, and a basketball court. The shelter and most of the equipment/benches have been donated by the Lion's Club.
Spirit of '76 Park Located at 501 North Main Street. This park includes a four-diamond baseball/softball complex. Four picnic shelters, picnic tables, grills, tennis courts, basketball court, volleyball, football/soccer fields, Olympic sized swimming pool (shown above), and a Senior Center. Picturesque Williams Creek runs through this park. Picnic facilities at this location are at a first-come, first-serve basis. In 2008, the city purchased an additional 30 acres for this parks expansion. Plans include adding more baseball and soccer fields, and walking trail. The Kiawan's of Mt. Vernon raised money to build a new pavilion. The Mt. Vernon Parks Committee welcomes any suggestions or ideas you have for this new addition.
Walking Paths and Tracks Many Mt. Vernon residents like to walk, both for leisure or for exercise, and they have several places to choose from. There is an outdoor track at the Middle School that is open to the public; 600 N Main St Facility, which is located North of the public square, has an excellent walking path; and Williams Creek Pond offers an asphalt walking path along the bank of the pond where you can watch the ducks play while you walk and it is handicap accessible.
Williams Creek Pond Williams Creek Pond adjoins the Spirit of '76 Park and has a handicap fishing dock, asphalt walkway around the pond that is handicap accessible, and handicap restrooms. The pond is the site for fishing clinics put on by the conservation department for children.
Wynne Park Located at Mt. Vernon Blvd. and McCanse Street. This park includes a Veteran's Memorial walking trail, picnic tables, basketball court, gazebo, Frisco Caboose, and plenty of flower beds. The Chamber of Commerce office is also located here for easy access to travelers.
For more information, please contact one of the following:
City of Mt. Vernon Park Staff City Hall - 417-466-2122 Tammy McCanless - Swimming Pool Manager 417-466-7688 Geoff Ford - Parks and Recreation Supervisor - 737-2547 Jeremy Weiss- Golf Course Manager - 417-466-7831