Children's Memorial Pond
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Cunningham Park Tornado Memorial

4.6
Β·1k reviewsΒ·Joplin, United States

A serene memorial park honoring Joplin's resilience, featuring sculptures, a butterfly garden, and a lake path.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Late Spring Mornings

Pleasant weather for exploring

CrowdLow
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Children's Memorial Pond

Cunningham Park Tornado Memorial

Best Time

Late Spring Mornings

Pleasant weather for exploring

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A serene memorial park honoring Joplin's resilience, featuring sculptures, a butterfly garden, and a lake path.

4.6
(1k reviews)

"A wonderful park to just enjoy the sculptures, peace and serenity this has to offer."

Vertical photo
TIP

πŸ€ Pickup Basketball Court

The court at Cunningham Park is often active with players. Great spot for a game!

πŸ’§ Bring Your Own Water

Restroom sinks and fountains may lack water. Stay hydrated! [^review1]

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 Β· 1,426 reviews

Type

Park

πŸ‘Ά Good for kidsβ™Ώ Wheelchair accessibleπŸ…ΏοΈ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Tornado Memorial Sculptures

Tornado Memorial Sculptures

Poignant artistic tributes honoring victims and the resilience of Joplin.

Butterfly Garden

Butterfly Garden

A tranquil spot for quiet contemplation amidst vibrant flora.

Lake Path

Lake Path

A scenic walking route offering peaceful views and a chance to stretch your legs.

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Planning Your Visit

Reflect and Recharge

This memorial park offers a peaceful space for reflection on the 2011 tornado's impact. Allow time to wander the lake path and butterfly garden before continuing your journey.

Park Amenities Check

While the park boasts playgrounds and serene areas, some visitors note issues with water availability in restrooms. Bring your own water bottle for peace of mind.

Best Times

When
Late Spring Mornings
Why
Pleasant weather for exploring
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoon
Why
Good for families and play
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Pick up basketball

Does anyone know where any pick up basket ball games are in the joplin area that people play at? This is my first summer here and I was hoping to find out where they play basketball at

πŸ€ Pickup Basketball Court

The court at Cunningham Park is often active with players. Great spot for a game! Reddit

πŸ’§ Bring Your Own Water

Restroom sinks and fountains may lack water. Stay hydrated! [^review1]

πŸšΆβ€β™€οΈ Scenic Stroll

Enjoy the butterfly garden and lake path for a peaceful walk. [^review2]

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Playground Fun

Features slides for both big and small kids. [^review3]

Tips

from all over the internet

πŸ€ Pickup Basketball Court

The court at Cunningham Park is often active with players. Great spot for a game! Reddit

πŸ’§ Bring Your Own Water

Restroom sinks and fountains may lack water. Stay hydrated! [^review1]

πŸšΆβ€β™€οΈ Scenic Stroll

Enjoy the butterfly garden and lake path for a peaceful walk. [^review2]

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Playground Fun

Features slides for both big and small kids. [^review3]

What Travellers Say

4.6
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise Cunningham Park for its beautiful memorial sculptures, serene butterfly garden, and peaceful lake path, highlighting Joplin's resilience. While the park offers great recreational spaces like a playground and basketball court, some note inconsistent water availability in restrooms.

"Jopin has done an amazing job putting this park back together and representing those who lost their lives. Definitely worth the small hike around the lake and butterfly garden before lunch and our 4 hour drive home."

Lori Beth

"Such a wonderful memorial to the 2011 tornado. As someone who loved through Katrina, you could feel the pain and triumph from the destruction."

DaGoatYaHeard

"Nice park sadly we had to be there alot let alone cross through to get to the y"

Mary Frazier

What People Like

Beautiful memorial sculptures
Peaceful butterfly garden
Community resilience honored

What People Dislike

Inconsistent water in restrooms

Frequently Asked Questions

πŸš‡ πŸ—ΊοΈ Getting There

Cunningham Park is located in Joplin, Missouri. It's accessible by car, with ample parking available. The park is a central point, and some visitors mention crossing through it to reach other areas. [^review4]

Yes, it's a well-known park in Joplin. If you're using GPS, search for 'Cunningham Park, Joplin, MO'.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, entry to Cunningham Park and the Tornado Memorial is free. It's a public park designed for community enjoyment and remembrance. [^review5]

As a public park, Cunningham Park is generally open from dawn until dusk. The memorial itself is accessible during these hours.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The memorial features sculptures that honor the victims of the 2011 tornado, a butterfly garden, and a lake with a walking path. It's a place for reflection and enjoying nature. [^review5]

Yes, the park has a playground with slides suitable for both younger and older children. [^review3]

Absolutely! There's a basketball court where pickup games are often played. Reddit

Many visitors find the park to be a place of peace and serenity, especially around the lake and butterfly garden. [^review5]

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The park itself does not have dining facilities. However, it's a great spot for a picnic, so consider bringing your own food. [^review2]

Joplin offers a variety of dining options just a short drive from the park. You can find everything from fast food to local eateries.

πŸ“Έ πŸ“Έ Photography

The memorial sculptures, the butterfly garden, and the lake path offer beautiful and meaningful photo opportunities. [^review5]

Yes, visitors are welcome to take photos to commemorate their visit. However, always be respectful of the solemn nature of the memorial.

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