The History of Our Park

Palmyra is a wonderful place to live where neighbors truly care and take care of each other. We are proud of living in such a strong and vibrant community.

Facility Rental/Reservations

The 5,500 square foot Sesquicentennial Building in Flower City Park may be rented by individuals and/or groups. It is heated in the winter and air-conditioned in warm weather months. It is available to rent for wedding receptions, banquets, company picnics, etc. Rental includes the use of the kitchen, 50 tables, metal folding chairs, and restrooms.

All reservations and rentals must be made in person at the Palmyra Parks & Recreation Office located in the Sesquicentennial Building. Questions call 573-769-9534.

Other facilities that may be rented include the outdoor arena with bleacher seating, the Saddle Club building, historic Floral Hall, the large livestock barns (two of the three have concrete floors), the midway area, and the Powers Building. Recreational rentals also include the large swimming pool for parties in the evening or Saturday morning. All rentals are handled through Palmyra Parks & Recreation.

Plan your outdoor wedding at Flower City Park
See Photo gallery.

Shelter Houses

Flower City Park also features five large shelters with picnic tables ideal for family reunions and two smaller shelters large enough for family picnics. Three of the large shelters have water, electricity, playground equipment nearby, and close access to bathrooms. The shelters may all be reserved for a small fee at Palmyra Parks & Recreation but are otherwise available on a first-come-first-served basis.

All reservations and rentals must be made in person at the Palmyra Parks & Recreation Office located in the Sesquicentennial Building. Questions call 573-769-9534.

Park Locations

Flower City Park and Well Nature Park are located at the northwest corner of Palmyra. Visitors may locate these two parks by exiting west off US61/24 on 168/Ross Street or on West Main Cross (by Hardee’s) and traveling past the railroad tracks to Breckenridge Street. Turn north/right on Breckenridge, and you will come to the south entrance to the nearly 300 acres of park grounds. Big Spring Park, a small historic park with a log cabin, is located downtown, northwest of the Court House.

Sports Leagues

The Palmyra Parks & Recreation Department offers numerous baseball and softball opportunities.  Our recreation leagues consist of a COED instructional T-Ball league for Pre-K - 1st graders, Boys Atom Baseball League for 1-4 grade, Girls Pixie Softball League for 1 - 4 grade, Boys Bantam Baseball League for 5-6 grade, Girls Chic Softball League for 6-8 grade, Boys Midget Baseball League for 7-8 grade, Girls Sophomore League for 9-12 grade and Boys Juvenile Baseball League for 9-12 grade.  We also offer competitive baseball leagues for 10U, 12U, 14U.  Entry Deadlines are fast approaching!!!  

Flower City Disc Golf Course 
Make sure to play both of our 18 Hole courses! We recommend using he UDisc Scoring app, which also has the map function for people unfamiliar with our courses.  UDisc mapping makes it very easy to find where you are going, however for quick reference each basket has a spindle taped…marking the way to the next tee!

Palmyra (Black) (Par 60, 7305 ft) is one of the longest Bomber courses in the area, we make use of much of the Upper Parks elevation and tree lines to guard the baskets. After tapping out 9, the 10 tee is by the tennis courts.

Palmyra (Orange) (Par 60, 6338 ft) is a Technical shot makers dream…a tree filled nightmare for the rest! 14 of 18 holes are inside our woods, with the remaining 4 holes demanding precision/distance.  After tapping out 9, there is again a bit of a walk between 9 basket and 10 Tee. 

Panther 36 (Orange/Black combo) (Par 120, 13643 ft) Those with time to play, might also consider the Panther 36…a grueling 36 hole challenge where we combine both courses.  Parking at Hole O13, gives the best results for bathrooms and water for this endurance test!  You can find this alternate playable layout under the Palmyra (Orange) on UDisc.   After precipitation, this option is not advisable due to the flood plain between courses.

Palmyra Community Pool

Palmyra Community Pool is located in Flower City Park. The swimming pool is open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 1 p.m until 6 p.m., weather permitting. Admission is charged to offset expenses of the pool’s operation. Private pool parties may be arranged for a fee on Saturday morning or in the evenings. The pool is open at reduced rates twice a week to children in day care. YMCA or Red Cross Lifeguards are on duty at all times. Concessions are available.

The pool phone is 573-769-4074.

Tree Program

Plant a Tree as a Living Memorial or in Honor of a Special Occasion. Your gift of a Living Tree will improve the quality of life within the Palmyra Parks and make a long-lasting contribution to the beauty of Flower City Park.  A tree is a beautiful way to honor a loved one, mark an anniversary or special occasion and/or recognize an event, club or organization or significant achievement.

Nature Trail

Flower City Park features a number of walking trails. Some are on paved/graveled roadways and some are through meadows and wooded areas. The “start point” for all the paved trails is the tennis courts. The Nature Trail is located in Well Park with a trail head and parking on the main road.Trail improvements are being made by young men who are working on Eagle Scout rank. In addition, trails down to Well Lake and to Akerson Access are in the planning stages. Trails are open to walkers, hikers, and non-motorized bikes all year-round.

Recreation FAQ's

Well Park - Akerson Access
Through a Missouri Department of Conservation grant, a boat ramp and access to North River in Well Park was opened in the summer of 2007. Development of the riverfront park area is in its beginning stages. Fishing is permitted with an valid license. North River, a lazy tributary to the Mississippi, can be navigated by kayak or canoe with some portaging by the ambitious paddler all the way to the big river.

The nearly 200 acres of Well Nature Park was added to the community’s park system though a generous gift of the J.W. Well Family. A road near the swimming pool in Flower City Park leads to the Nature Trail, Well Lake, a large shelter house, a 4-H shooting range, and Akerson Access on North River. Wildlife, including water birds, deer and turkey, can be often be seen by the observant visitor to Well Park.

Events in the Park
An Independence Day celebration is sponsored on July 4th of each year with the day’s activities ending with a large fireworks show underwritten by the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Palmyra. The traditional event is a family affair, enjoyed by the community for the nearly 40 years of the park’s existence. Private fireworks being discharged in the park at any time, however, is prohibited.Annually the Marion County Flower City Festival is staged in the park at the end of July into the first week of August. In addition to 4-H projects and livestock shows, the well-attended event features lots of indoor exhibits in the Sesqui Building as well as outdoor displays of farm machinery, vehicles, and equipment. A carnival on the midway is always a part of the festivities, featuring rides for children as well as adults. Local organizations offer tasty concessions for sale during the week-long event. Evening events include nightly entertainment on the Free Stage, an art show, exhibits in the Sesqui, as well as tractor pulls, four-wheeler and motocross races, and a demolition derby in the Arena.Fund-raising events are frequently held at the park to support worthy causes. Three held annually include the MDA Games, the MS Walk and the Brian Stevens Memorial Run. The Marion County Relay for Life is staged annually in Flower City Park the first Friday in June.

Park FAQ’s
Flower City Park was established nearly 40 years ago under the leadership of the Palmyra Jaycees. It has grown with the support of the Palmyra community and surrounding area and the help of generous donations from individuals and local organizations. Grants from the Department of Natural Resources, the Marion County Health Department and Home Health Agency, and the Missouri Department of Conservation have also enabled growth and improvements to the park.The fair grounds became a part of Flower City Park in the 90's with the establishment of the Parks and Recreation Board which replaced the Fair Board and the Park Board. The city's parks and facilities are administered by this nine-member board made up of Palmyra citizens who are appointed by the Mayor, with the consent of the City Council, for three year terms.The park is operated through funds generated by rental fees, donations, grants, and a city-wide sales tax.The Parks and Recreation Board meets on the third Monday of each month and may be contacted through:
Palmyra City Hall at 573-769-2223.

 Click through the photo gallery to get an impression of our town.