A groundbreaking ceremony for the Route 66 roadside park in Springfield, Missouri, is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, reported KSPR-TV in Springfield.
The park will be on West College Street, between Fort and Broadway. The park, which celebrates the city’s role as “the birthplace of Route 66,” or where the region’s road officials accepted the numeral 66 when the highway was commissioned in 1926.
Plans for the Birthplace of Route 66 Roadside Park include incorporating memories of local Route 66 landmarks, sculptures, a filling station replica, a motor court sign replica and a history plaza. The first phase of the park will be complete by August and will include the replica of the Red’s Giant Hamburg sign; park driveway and parallel parking; and landscaping and sidewalk improvements along College Street.
The estimated cost for the Birthplace of Route 66 Roadside Park is about $1 million, according to Director of Planning Ralph Rognstad.
The revitalization of the Route 66 corridor probably will be done in stages, and will include some partnerships with businesses and individuals as well to help defray the costs.
Artist’s renderings of the park may be seen here.
(Image of one of the artist’s renderings of the Route 66 park in Springfield, Missouri)
Just returned to TX from some time on Route 66 from OK City to Springfield MO/next trip will take OK West to TX state line/plan to include the IL portion next year/Have traveled NV/AZ/NM/TX/OK/KS/MO; Love the Road and even the strange icons. Thanks for your site.