Colemans Hawkins Park redevelopment project delayed

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A project to redevelop Coleman Hawkins Park is delayed, as discussions continue to take place about its future. 

Last summer, local architects helped Downtown visitors imagine a redeveloped Coleman Hawkins Park with a relocated stage.

Goldberg Group Architects gathered community feedback on three concept designs in August of 2024 at a Sounds of Summer concert. 

“We're still using that as a basis of our discussions,” St. Joseph Parks & Recreation Director, Jeff Atkins said. “We've got so many different user groups that utilize the square here, and we want to make sure that we’ve adequately listened to each and every one of them to get the different ideas.” 

Construction was originally set to during the spring or summer of 2025, but talks are on-going to finalize a plan. 

Representatives from the St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Department met with Downtown groups on Tuesday, April 22 to discuss what they would like to see in the renovated park and share information with each other. 

“We had a couple drawings there for them to look at,” Atkins said. “But again, more ideas were bouncing out of that conversation.” 

St. Joseph resident Krysta Middleton had a chance to look at one of the concepts shared by Goldberg Group Architects, and she is open to the change. 

“I would be open,” she said. “I think it would give more space for people to sit.”  

Concept drawings show the stage being moved closer to Felix Street. Atkins said construction would most likely begin in the construction season of 2026, potentially causing schedules to change for performing acts. 

“Next year we're probably going to have to have some disruption,” he said. “We'll do our best to either start early or start late to work around them as best we can. But like any renovation project, there's going to be a little disruption there for a while.” 

As discussions continue for a renovated Coleman Hawkins Park, the Parks & Recreation Department is keeping busy. The new Maple Leaf Skatepark and Wyeth Hill pump track opened last week. 

“We had two major products or projects that were both unique and new to the community, and they got completed on the same day,” Atkins said. “We didn’t plan it that way, but it worked out.