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. There are a number of picnic tables with umbrellas and public art on display.
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.
In addition to seating areas and landscaping, the park featureD 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.
