Details emerge for proposed Route 66 park in Marshfield

More details about a proposed Route 66 park on a section of original road in Marshfield, Missouri, emerged during a consultation meeting with engineers on the project.

Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Engineering presided over the meeting earlier this month with about 15 residents. A small section of Route 66 in Marshfield will be abandoned because of a new interchange project planned at Interstate 44, around mile marker 103 a little more than two miles northeast of the city. Residents want to use that piece of the leftover Mother Road for a park.

The park would be at the current Route CC (aka Route 66) and Rifle Range Road (map here).

The Marshfield Mail newspaper said the meeting led to some requirements for the Route 66 park project:

  • The park must incorporate the abandoned Route 66 roadway.

  • It must incorporate interpretive signage at the intersection of Route CC and Rifle Range Road, and this signage must discuss the history of Route 66 and the Marshfield area.

  • The project must preserve 150 feet of abandoned Route 66 roadway pavement on the old alignment of the route and remove remaining pavement due to safety concerns.

  • The project must include a driving and parking area for 15 vehicles (maximum) to accommodate visitors.

The city’s mayor also suggested a natural amphitheater formed inside the entrance to the park be made into an actual amphitheater with seating areas. The old roadway could be used as a stage for performances.

One of the blueprints for the possible design is here. It suggests interpretive signs and a tunnel under Hubble Avenue leading to the park from a parking lot.

The engineering firm will provide a final draft of the design after Feb. 1.

(Excerpt of blueprint by Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Engineering for proposed Route 66 park in Marshfield, Missouri)

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