Changes At What Park

Changes are happening to What Park in downtown Mountain View after the discovery of homeless individuals living under the shrubbery, as well as litter, human fecal matter, and drug paraphernalia. After the discovery of these conditions, and a visit to the park with police, Mountain View Mayor Donnie Pruett decided it was time to act.

“I think we should preserve it, maintain it, and make it attractive,” he told Howell County News. 

What Park is home to the old concrete Mountain View City Jail, which is currently being used by the Mountain View Garden Club for storage. The Garden Club maintained the memorial garden located in the park for twenty-five years, according to current Garden Club President Mary West. The garden was dedicated to the late Emily Holden, a founding member of the Garden Club. With the impacts from COVID-19 and club membership down, it has been hard on current members to maintain all garden areas, President West said.

The City of Mountain View holds ownership of the jail and the concrete pad next to the jail. Southwest Baptist University holds ownership of the property that the jail and pad sit on, because it joins with SBU campus grounds. While there have been several concerns voiced by community members about the destruction of What Park, both the Mayor and SBU clarified that the elimination of What Park and the garden dedicated to Emily Holden has never been discussed.

“There is no intent to tear it down,” stated Mayor Pruett. 

A statement from SBU, which has been a part of the Mountain View community for 35 years, explained that they are in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce, City of Mountain View, and the Garden Club President.

“We have tried to work toward reducing the maintenance of what currently exists, along with aiding in cleaning up and really showcasing the historical jail,” reads the statement.

The mayor mentioned that the downtown beautification project has made many improvements around the city. The list of improvements now includes What Park in partnership with SBU. Moving forward, Mayor Pruett said that the park will be turned over to SBU for maintenance. 

“Partnering with SBU is such an asset. Their grounds keeper has offered to maintain the park free of charge to the City,” he concluded. 

“About a year ago, we were asked to join a downtown beautification project. Downtown beautification is important to us, as is evident by the investments we have made in campus improvements in downtown Mountain View. We want to add to these community landmarks, reviving the entire area and making it more manageable to care for in years to come,” said a spokesperson for the university.

At the request by Mrs. Holden’s family, MV Garden Club members have begun moving plants and bulbs from What Park to the library where a memorial will be reestablished for Emily. Garden Club members worked Wednesday to move certain pink blooming flowers, including Emily’s pink peonies, to the Pink Garden, located in front of the Mercy St. Francis clinics. “I just want to say we appreciate SBU and the space they have let us use all of these years. They have always been very cooperative,” concluded Garden Club President Mary West. 

SBU said in a follow up statement, “We strive to serve Mountain View with a servant’s heart. We are one community. Let’s unite behind restoring the historical pieces and continuing to make the community inviting and available for all to enjoy.”