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Picture: A couple of junior citizens pause in Cruse park, one of 3 parks which Mechanicsville area residents enjoy.

CRUSE MEMORIAL PARK

    In 1936 there was much talk of a city park, so some of the more enterprising organizations and business men got up a Field Day program announcing that all proceeds would go for a park. There was a ball game, horse show and street dance in the evening. The men worked hard to make it a success. But 1936 was the year of the drouth and that August 3, the day of the event, had a blazing sun and hot wind that sent the thermometer to 110 degrees. The result was deficit funds.

    However, that fall, 20 persons subscribed the money necessary to buy a tract of about 4 acres located one block north of the west end of the business district. It was a cow pasture belonging to Jake Onstott which had been bought by H. E. Gibeaut when settling Mr. Onstott’s estate. Through the center lengthwise it was swampy, with a small stream of water running there in rainy seasons. This was purchased from Mr. Gibeaut for about $200 in December 1936. The next spring the fence was taken down, the land drained, tiled and graded. Dr. A. W. Cruse and his fellow members of the park committee, aided by Ed Baird, a skilled nurseryman, visited various nearby timber tracts and brought back between 15 and 20 different kinds of native young trees which they planted around the outer edges of the park. An obsolete World War I tank and two 75 MM cannons, also obsolete, were obtained from the Rock Island arsenal, and placed on cement bases on the north central side of the grounds. Later when World War II was on, these guns and tanks were sold at a public auction, an “Honorary Title” being given to the purchasers. The purchase price was paid in War Bonds, and $2,630 was realized from their sale. Later the guns and tank were shipped out and scrapped for the much needed metal in them, to use in winning World War II.

    In 1942 a shelter house was built, and a large double faced stone fireplace. Money by voluntary donations was coming in slowly, so the pavilion floor was dirt, later covered with crushed rock. A cement floor did not come . . .

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. . . until 1951 when the members of the Lions Club put it in. The Garden Club furnished money to put in electric lights and city water. Various individuals donated picnic tables. A flag pole was erected by voluntary donations as a memorial to Mayor F. L. Miller, killed by a falling tree while cutting timber. A modern restroom was completed in 1956, also metal swings and a merry-go-round for children were installed; the Junior Women’s Club was instrumental in getting the latter. A tennis court was built on the east side. Except for the building of the rest rooms, most of the work has been done by volunteers, likewise much of the money for the materials was voluntarily given.

    World War I members of the American Legion did much to get the park started: the Garden Club, the Lions Club and other organizations have done much in helping it along. Dr. A. W. Cruse deserves much credit in getting things done and sticking to it when others would have given up.

    In 1971 they need for a closed in shelter house was discussed by the ladies of the Garden club. They approached the Lions club about the project and offered a substantial contribution. The Lions Club was interested, and with the labor and financial help of Lion members, as well as local contributions, the building was erected.

    Today we have a beautiful park used by many groups from other towns and communities, many from out of the state, as well as by local people. It is an asset of which the town is proud.

EAST END PARK

    On January 3, 1967 the town purchased the Driscoll property on east main street for the purpose of drilling a well. The purchase price was $4,000. As only a small portion of the ground was needed for the well, it was decided to convert the remaining area into a small park. A house was taken down, also a number of trees. Bill Zearing assisted in removing the trees at no charge to the town.

    Later the lawn was seeded and trees were planted. In 1971 playground equipment was purchased and a shelter house was installed, also an area was prepared for parking.

    From all reports this park is used a great deal by the children in the neighborhood.

WILLOW BEND PARK

    Our newest park, Willow Bend, is located in the northeast part of town. It is privately owned and is maintained by the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Neil Klinefelter. It is beautifully landscaped and contains a fish pond that is well stocked with fish. Fishing there is much enjoyed by the children in the community.