Closed to the Public
THIS PARK IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Beginning Monday, February 27, 2023, a contractor working for the City of Paducah will begin removing the structures at the Market Square Art Park, a small city-owned pocket park located at 117 ½ Market Square. The City closed the park last September due to identified safety hazards including the settling of the patio surface leading to tripping hazards.
Over the next several weeks, crews will be removing the brick walls that include decorative panels, a brick wall with a seating area and planters, landscaping, public art, and the patio area. Crews will work to carefully remove the artwork for storage. During the removal process, Market Square will remain open for traffic. However, there may be occasional brief closures of the roadway.
Once the park’s elements are removed, a structural engineer will inspect the park. The park area will remain closed to the public throughout this process.
About the Art Park
The Market Square Art Park is small city-owned park located at 117 ½ Market House Square. It previously was a vacant lot located between two downtown buildings.
In addition to seating areas and landscaping, the park features metal art panels designed by Char Downs, fiber art banners created by Freda Fairchild, glazed ceramic art tiles by John Hasegawa, and the sculpture, Fluid Progress, by Paducah School of Art & Design sculpture students Michael Copeland and Lu Colby.
Park History
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the park was held June 20, 2016. Then mayor, Gayle Kaler, initiated the project with the desire to turn a small vacant area into a creative outdoor space. The City of Paducah Planning Department held a public charrette to gain input for the park. Mayor Kaler said, “Spaces that are tucked away offer a place for reflection, reading, conversation and enjoyment of the surroundings. This ART park is a pocket park which implies a secret garden place that can be used in many ways by our community and visitors. I believe people will be very happy with their newly reborn space on Market Square.” Kaler added, “In the park’s design, using local artists was a priority for me. The park has been a collaboration of many minds and talents along with community and business support.”
Durwin Ursery developed the park’s initial schematic designs with J. Patrick Kerr, Architects completing the final designs. Paducah Main Street received a Creative Placemaking grant from the Paducah Board of Realtors to assist with the cost of the art pieces. Also, the El Arbol Garden Club sponsored one of the cast iron benches.
