Flat Branch Park

Table of Contents

About Flat Branch Park

Flat Branch Park is located in downtown Columbia. The park runs along Flat Branch Creek and extends across two city blocks. The park includes a gazebo, picnic areas, spraygrounds, playground, art sculpture, demonstration rain garden, historical plaques, and is a trailhead for the MKT Trail. You can travel the MKT Trail all the way from Flat Branch Park to the statewide Katy Trail without having to cross a street. There is a bridge access to the Convention and Visitors Bureau located on the other side of the creek from the park.

Park amenities

Activity areas

  • Playgrounds

Aquatics

Gardens/groves

  • Demonstration rain garden

Other park amenities

  • Amphitheater
  • Bike racks (7)
  • ADA drinking fountain with pet bowl
  • Historical plaques (5)
  • Art sculpture – “Marathoners” by Larry Young
  • Wireless Internet

Picnic areas

Trails

Park history

Chris Cady is an Environmental Specialist with the Department of Natural Resources and assisted with the oversight of the environmental cleanup of Flat Branch Park Phase II. In 2006 Chris Cady put together a slide presentation of the history of Flat Branch, researching historical documents from the Boone County Historical Society, the State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia newspapers, as well as other resources. The presentation provides a wonderful history of Flat Branch with historical photos, maps, newspaper articles, and such. Links to the slide presentation and its narrative are available to the right.

“Finding Flat Branch” presentationopens PDF file , (8mg)

“Finding Flat Branch” narrative”opens PDF file

by Chris Cady, Ph. D.

Phase I

Flat Branch Park is located at the original site of Columbia’s Market Square, which since its establishment in the 1820’s has been a favorite spot for community gatherings and a hub for commerce.

Train Station

At the turn of the twentieth century, a railway depot known as Katy Station was built in the Flat Branch area and it became a focal point of industry and transportation, with trains chugging in and out of the station along the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad. When the railroad right-of-way was abandoned in the late 1970’s, the City decided to convert the abandoned right-of-way to a multi-use hiking, biking, and fitness trail. This trail is now the 8.3 mile city/county MKT Trail that begins at 4th and Cherry and extends to the state-wide KATY Trail, south of Columbia. The development of the Flat Branch Park is one of the many steps being taken in the revitalization of this area of the community.

Flat Branch Park history

In 1997, the planning for the development of the park began when the City received a $40,000 Recreational Trails Program Grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for the construction of the park. In October of 1997, a deteriorated warehouse located on the site was torn down and soil contamination was found. Construction was put on hold until cleanup of the site and stream were completed. On June 11, 1998, a groundbreaking was held in conjunction with the Market Square Historic Site Dedication when the site was designated a Boone County Historic Site.

Flat Branch Park

Completion of the extensive cleanup made way for park construction. On May 16, 2000, a second groundbreaking was held in conjunction with the American Discovery Trail Opening Ceremony which designated the Katy Trail as an American Discovery Trail and the MKT Trail as a National Millennium Trail.

The park is bordered by the Flat Branch Creek on the west and features a gazebo, benches, tables, sidewalks, landscaping, historic markers, and green space. Total budget for the development of the project was $511,744. Funding sources include: Recreational Trails Grant ($40,000), Stormwater Grant ($90,000), donations and contributions ($161,595), and City Capital Improvement Sales Tax ($220,149). The architect firm was Chinn & Associates, the creek restoration contractor was Remsel Corp., and the park was constructed by the Parks & Recreation Department. The park was dedicated on November 15, 2001. 

Since its development, Flat Branch Park has been the venue for many downtown festivals and events, including the Twilight Festival, The Mayor’s Bike, Walk, and Wheel Week kickoff, the Roots N’ Blues N’ BBQ Festival, Outdoor Cinema Series, and the Stream Extravaganza to name a few.

Phase II

Due to the success of Phase I, the community rallied in support of Phase II – the restoration and development of the land on the next city block between Locust and Elm Street. (See park map showing both park phases.)opens PDF file

Flat Branch Park Arial photoopens IMAGE file

Click on image for enlargement

A 45-car parking was removed to make way for the park. Similar to Phase I, the soil underneath the old parking lot was contaminated with petroleum leakage from gas and oil tanks that had occupied the site. The Parks and Recreation Department secured a $200,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the site cleanup work began in 2003. Over 8,300 cubic yards of contaminated soil were removed and clean fill dirt was hauled in. The stream was polluted from concrete build up along the banks from years of concrete dumping. Debris was cleaned out of Flat Branch Creek, and the eroded stream bed was stabilized with native limestone boulders and tree plantings. The environmental cleanup work was completed in 2006. The project was recognized by the Department of Natural Resources for being the 300th successful Brownfield cleanup project in Missouri.

The brownfield cleanup incurred substantial expense, over $500,000. Park planners were able to make adjustments to save costs in the park development budget by replacing the previously planned retaining wall construction with less expensive boulder work. Some of the other challenges that faced the park development included the loss of overflow parking used by the Chamber of Commerce from the demolition of the 45-car parking lot that had occupied the land. However, after accessing the real parking needs of the Chamber of Commerce, a smaller 19-car parking lot was incorporated in to the park plans, along with a pedestrian bridge connecting the park to the Chamber of Commerce on the other side of the creek. Another major challenge of this project was the re-routing of the MKT Trail through four box culverts (box culverts under Stewart and Providence Roads were funded separately from the Flat Branch project) to avoid trail users having to cross busy streets. Agreements had to be reached with the University of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Transportation to construct, operate, and maintain a pedestrian/bicycle trail on properties under their jurisdictions.

Park development proceeded in 2006 after the site cleanup and stream restoration were completed. In addition to the brownfield cleanup expense, over $600,000 was spent in the park development. A citizens committee assisted with the design review and solicitation of donations. Local businesses and individuals provided over $300,000 in donations for the park development.

The main elements of the park development were substantially completed in time for the first Roots N’ Blues N’ BBQ Festival held in downtown Columbia on September 7 and 8, 2007. Park development included a playground, spraygrounds, stone amphitheater, benches, drinking fountain, lamp posts, an art sculpture, pedestrian bridge, bike racks, 19-car parking lot, rain garden, and a concrete portion of the MKT Trail that runs through the park.

A volunteer group sponsored by the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, C.A.R.P. (Columbia Aquatic Restoration Project), assisted in the stream cleanup, invasive species removal, planted 620 native perennials in the rain garden, installed erosion barrier, planted 125 shrubs and grasses, and installed 400 soil bags with aquatic irises along the creek bed.

In 2008, the pedestrian bridge and connecting sidewalks were completed, a UV system was installed at the spraygrounds, the park sign and plaques were installed, and a educational rain garden sign was installed. The park was dedicated on May 3, 2008.

The project’s success is due to the assistance and collaboration with many agencies and citizens. The City of Columbia partnered with the Flat Branch Trailhead Committee, Columbia Special Business District, Chamber of Commerce, University of Missouri, Missouri Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Recreational Trails Program, local business, and volunteer groups to bring Flat Branch Park – Phase II and the MKT underpass connection projects to a successful conclusion.

The project goal for both phases of park development was to revitalize the Flat Branch District in downtown Columbia by eliminating blighted areas and creating a destination place for pedestrians, bicyclists, and downtown visitors. Equally important were the restoration of the creek, clean up of the contaminated soil, addition of urban green space, and a pedestrian connection with other areas of the city via the MKT Trail. This trailhead park has fulfilled its goal by generating commerce, recreation, and social interaction in downtown Columbia, while significantly improving the urban ecological environment. The town’s original settlement area serves once again as a vibrant community gathering place.

Awards

Flat Branch Park has received the following awards:

  • 2002 Public Improvement Award for Special Projects from the Missouri Downtown Association (Phase I)
  • 2005 Annual Achievement Award – Construction and Design Category from the Coalition for Recreation Trails (Phase I) 
  • Recognized as the 300th Brownfield Cleanup Project from the Department of Natural Resource (Phase II)
  • 2008 Gold Leaf Award for landscaping and tree-planting project from the Midwestern Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (Phase II) – See press releaseopens PDF file .

The trailhead committee

In the spring of 1997, Mayor Darwin Hindman appointed a citizens committee, the MKT Trailhead Committee, to work with the Public Works and Park and Recreation Departments to assist in the planning and development of Flat Branch Park. In July of 1997, the Committee held an architectural design charette to generate possible ideas for development of the site. In February of 1998, Chinn and Associates Architects was hired to assist the Committee in development of detailed construction plans for the park. The committee organized regular “Flat Branch Creek Walks” to increase citizen awareness of the importance of preserving the natural landscape in the heart of an urban area and to solicit ideas on how the trail and creek could be improved.

The committee also played an extraordinary role in fundraising, securing $191,677 in private donations for Phase I of the park project. Among the many contributors include the Heinkel Charitable Foundation which donated $25,000, the South and Downtown Rotary Clubs of Columbia, which donated the money for the estimated $25,000 gazebo, The Missouri Balloon Corporation, whose $20,000 donation purchased cafe tables and chairs, and the Boone County Community Trust which donated $15,000.

The committee also assisted with plan review and fundraising for Phase II of Flat Branch Park. Over $300,000 was contributed by local businesses and individuals in support of Phase II of the park development, including donation of the designing, engineering, labor and materials to construct the pedestrian bridge. Major donors for Flat Branch Park Phase II are listed below.

Flat Branch phase II – park contributors

  • Flat Branch Park Committee Chairmen: Jack Waters and John Ott
  • Landmark Bank
  • Columbia Chamber of Commerce
  • Regional Economic Development, Inc.
  • Commerce Bank – WT Kemper Foundation
  • Columbia Daily Tribune
  • Columbia Special Business District
  • Central Columbia Association
  • Fred and Dorothy Heinkel Foundation
  • Boone County National Bank

Flat Branch bridge contributors

  • Allstate Consultants, LLC
  • Little Dixie Construction Co.
  • Doing Steel, Inc.
  • Boone County Lumber Co.
  • Mid-City Lumber Co.
  • Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc.
  • Columbia Ready Mix Concrete
  • Nuway Concrete Forms Central
  • Cunningham Plus Assoc. Architects
  • Scriv Concrete
  • Schultz Excavating & Crane Service
  • Wulff Brothers Construction Co.
  • Ahrens Steel & Welding Supplies, Inc.
  • Midwest Block & Brick Co.
  • Boone Quarries
  • Triple S Hauling
  • Fabick Tractor Co.
  • SB Painting Co.
  • Jaycor Contracting

Flat Branch Park dedication – phase I

Date: November 15, 2001
Dedication Programopens PDF file

About 150 citizens gathered for the Flat Branch Park Dedication held at 4:00 pm, Thursday, November 15, 2001.

Mike Hood addressing crowd at Flat Branch Park dedication
Ray Beck addressing crowd at Flat Branch Park DedicationMayor Darwin Hindman addressing crowd at Flat Branch Park dedicationJohn Ott and Jack Waters addressing crowd at Flat Branch Park dedication

Flat Branch Park dedication – phase II

Date: May 3, 2008
Dedication Programopens PDF file

The dedication of Flat Branch Park – Phase II was held on Saturday, May 3, 2008 in conjunction with the 7th Annual Bike, Walk and Wheel Week kickoff. A nice size crowd gathered for the dedication program.

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hood introduced the guest speakers, which included Mayor Darwin Hindman, John Ott from the Flat Branch Park Committee, Don Laird from the Chamber of Commerce, and Steve Kovac from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors led the ribbon cutting, officially dedicating Flat Branch Park – Phase II.

Landmark Bank donated $30,000 to fund the art sculpture “Marathoners” for Flat Branch Park. Artist Larry Young, Marie Hunter from the Office of Cultural Affairs, and Andrew Beverly from Landmark Bank pose together next to the sculpture. 

The City of Columbia donated a bench to Flat Branch Park in honor of Ray Beck’s 46 years of service to the City upon his retirement. Former City Manager Ray Beck poses for a photo on the bench donated in his honor.

As part of the festivities, bicycles from the Columbia Art League ArtCycles contest were displayed in the park.

Capital improvement projects and council items

year completed project description council items
2001 Flat Branch Park – Phase I (4th and Locust Streets)  
2007 Annual Roads and Parking: Asphalt new Elm St. parking lot  
2008 Flat Branch Park – Phase II (between Locust and Elm Streets) View Council Item
2009 Annual Park Improvement Project: Wireless Internet View Council Item
2013 Annual Park Improvement Project: Flat Branch sprayground repair  
2016 Council Item: Acquisition of property at 32 S. Providence for Flat Branch Park expansion and Gateway Plaza View Council Item
2019 African-American Heritage Trail View Council Item
2021 – Gateway Plaza Flat Branch Park Expansion View Council Item