Cunningham Park
Cunningham Park
4.5
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4.5
122 reviews
Excellent
91
Very good
27
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Izzy2184
Van Buren, AR40 contributions
Mar 2020
I only remember the news stories of the tornado that hit Joplin, what is now almost 9 years ago. Visiting this park and memorial gave it a much more personal feel. The stories shared about the butterflies gave me goosebumps as I said a prayer for those souls that were lost and for those that live to tell their story.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jay K
Dallas, TX18 contributions
Jan 2021
My son and I visited Cunningham park on a recent day trip over to Joplin. We both felt it was a very nice tribute to the victims and survivors of a horrific natural disaster. It was well designed and laid out with lots of information about the storms that day, the victims, and survivors too. Highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.
Written 4 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joey M
12 contributions
Feb 2015
We had went to Oklahoma City to attend the National Tornado Summit and took a detour on the way home to visit Joplin and see the area 4 years after the storm. The park has everything one would need from a city park with play grounds, walking trails, picnic tables, and lots of grass, but what it also has is a memorial. A memorial dedicated to those that lost their lives in the tornado, and equally as important, those that came to aid of the people of Joplin Missouri. As a meteorologist and weather history buff, I came to the park to show my respects to those that were lost in this tragic event. What I took away from it was something totally different. I saw a town with hope, a town that still has scars but it's healing, a town that won't be defined by this event, and town that has a closer bond now than at any point in history. This park covers a deep scar, but the wound has healed and looks better than ever!
Written 4 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nhrafan1972
Springfield, IL48 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
I was one of the first volunteers on the scene after the tornado. This was my first visit back to Joplin since the tornado. I was very encouraged by what I saw. New homes and businesses. I loved the tribute to the lives that were lost and the volunteers that served. I stayed at the park for quite awhile just looking at the landscape and remembering how it looked when I was there for search and clean up and what it looks like today. Remembering the stories,the people, the sights and smells. There was a family there at the memorial that had lost their mother to the tornado. I was moved to tears several times. I went back the next day to spend some more time exploring and remembering. It is a very special place. A wonderful memorial and place for rememberance. I will be making a return trip to Joplin in a few years to check on the ongoing progress. God Bless You Joplin.
Written 19 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elaine K
United States8 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Shares memories of the Joplin Tornado. Great place to visit & reflect. Bring your camera and also some tissues.
Written 21 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nowincolorado
Colorado Springs, CO2,904 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
Cunningham Park was rebuilt after the devastating 2011 tornado that took 161 lives. In the park is a memorial about the tornado. It was a serene place to visit.
There is a waterfall with 38 segments representing the 38 minutes the tornado was on the ground. A void in those segments at minute 7 is when the tornado struck this park.
There is a waterfall with 38 segments representing the 38 minutes the tornado was on the ground. A void in those segments at minute 7 is when the tornado struck this park.
Written 23 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
samsneadbbr
Joplin, MO24 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
No one that lived in or around the city of Joplin, Mo will never forget May 26, 2011. An EF5 Tornado drestroyed 1/3 of the city and 161 people lost their lives. Cunningham was directly hit buy the storm. No rebuilt with new family and kids areas and several tributes to that date and the lives that were lost. Great place for Pokemon as well!
Written 13 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda M
Kannapolis, NC170 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
My husband and I did not know what to expect when we decided to visit this park. In fact, we almost did not go. We are so glad we did! It is amazing and very moving. To read about the day the tornado ripped through this neighborhood and the stories of the butterflies just sent chills over me. We walked through the "house" and followed the path of grief. Visited the children's area and volunteer area. We also went to the chapel where the hospital stood. A very nice, well maintained tribute to the lives lost, the survivors, the volunteers and the strong spirit of the people of Joplin, MO!
Written 24 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Txgal
Houston, TX185 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
My granddaugthers love this park. It has many slides and activities for kids including a water park for the warmer weather season.
Written 29 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joan W
Green Valley, AZ529 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
This park was so much more than I imagined and it covered a large area. When I first pulled into the parking lot I was struck by all the families enjoying the park-generations were enjoying picnicking while young children took advantage of all the fun play areas. An old-fashioned ice cream truck with its catchy tune pulled in next to me as children came running with money in hand for their treat.
Besides the everyday fun the families were having, the park is also a touching and very moving tribute to the volunteers and people whose lives were lost or interrupted by the EF5 storm that stuck Joplin on May 22, 2011. There was so much symbolism in the many areas of sculptures, gardens and tributes. A three tiered fountain has spouts on each level-5 on one, 22 on another tier and 11 on the third-which commemorate the date. Exactly 161 trees were planted to honor each of the people who lost their lives. A bronze hard hat, shovel and gloves recall the over 180,000 volunteers who came from all over to help. Broken mosaic symbolizes the broken lives of many survivors. There are so many wonderful parts to the memorial. In the Volunteer Tribute and Children's Memorial area, I had tears in my eyes as I read the "butterfly stories" of kids who survived.
This park is great on so many levels. It could be helpful to any one grieving the loss of a loved one. There are many lovely places where you can sit and reflect in beautiful and peaceful surroundings. Looking out and seeing all the families enjoying being together shows the ability of humans to rebound from tragedy and be even stronger.
I remember seeing the pictures live on television on the day of the tornado and wondering how the city and its residents would ever heal. The citizens of Joplin should be very proud of this park and what it represents.
Besides the everyday fun the families were having, the park is also a touching and very moving tribute to the volunteers and people whose lives were lost or interrupted by the EF5 storm that stuck Joplin on May 22, 2011. There was so much symbolism in the many areas of sculptures, gardens and tributes. A three tiered fountain has spouts on each level-5 on one, 22 on another tier and 11 on the third-which commemorate the date. Exactly 161 trees were planted to honor each of the people who lost their lives. A bronze hard hat, shovel and gloves recall the over 180,000 volunteers who came from all over to help. Broken mosaic symbolizes the broken lives of many survivors. There are so many wonderful parts to the memorial. In the Volunteer Tribute and Children's Memorial area, I had tears in my eyes as I read the "butterfly stories" of kids who survived.
This park is great on so many levels. It could be helpful to any one grieving the loss of a loved one. There are many lovely places where you can sit and reflect in beautiful and peaceful surroundings. Looking out and seeing all the families enjoying being together shows the ability of humans to rebound from tragedy and be even stronger.
I remember seeing the pictures live on television on the day of the tornado and wondering how the city and its residents would ever heal. The citizens of Joplin should be very proud of this park and what it represents.
Written 6 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanting to get married in this park on May 7th 2016, needing to know who to contact on reserving and renting a covered picnic area for this day please.
Thank you so much!!
Angie Reavis
Written 26 December 2015
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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