In the early 1970’s, the City of Hannibal was planning to make this mostly-bare piece of ground called Electric Park into a parking lot.  The Kiwanis Club obtained permission from the City Council to develop a park where tourists could have a picnic and enjoy a nice view of the river.  The Club set out the pin oak trees which you see above.  (Not the large tree on the right!) The club also built five picnic shelters and installed playground equipment for the kids.  It quickly became a popular place to visit for local folks and well as many tourists.  After seeing what the club did, the City Council changed the name of the park to Kiwanis Park.

 

The river covered the tops of the picnic shelters during the “Great Flood of ‘93” and the park was in need of rehabilitation.  Several generous Kiwanis Clubs around the country donated $6,800 to the Kiwanis Club of Hannibal for flood relief.  The Club used the money to replace the picnic shelters and playground equipment.  A “Memorial Rock” in the park recognizes those clubs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kiwanis Park

Another plaque on the rock is in memory of club member Greg Stevens who was killed in a car wreck while taking the long way home because of the flood.  He left six young children.