Listen up, St. Joseph locals! One of the gems of our historic hometown—birthplace of the Pony Express and Jesse James—is the beautiful, nostalgic and iconic Krug Park. Krug Park has long served as a beloved gathering place for families, a favorite location for photographers, a spot for peaceful picnics, duck feeding and cherished memories.
In case you haven’t heard, exciting changes are here for Krug Park.
A few months ago, city lawmakers voted to give Krug Park a well-deserved facelift. The city has partnered with E.L. Crawford and Construction to kick off a major $11.75 million renovation of the park. The updates will take place over the next few years, with full completion estimated by the fall of 2027.
While parts of the park may be temporarily closed during various phases of the project, there’s good news—Holiday Park will remain open this Christmas season, so your favorite festive tradition is safe for another year.
Renovation plans include much-needed improvements to the amphitheater, which will be restored and modernized for future public use. Additional upgrades will follow, including updates to the castle, picnic shelters, restrooms and other areas throughout the park. These improvements will be rolled out in phases, with the city aiming to balance construction timelines with the community’s ability to continue enjoying the park during the process.
The entire project is funded by the half-cent parks sales tax increase approved by voters back in 2021—a great example of your tax dollars at work to improve shared spaces.
So, whether you’ve been enjoying Krug Park for decades or have plans to visit it for the first time, this investment in our city’s future is something we can all celebrate. In just a few short years, Krug Park will be looking fresh and revitalized—a perfect place for all of us to make memories, relax and take pride in our community.