LINN — Legends Bank President Tom Klebba on Friday said land on which the new pocket park at Linn was developed has seen many iterations over the years before the bank purchased it in 2008, and now offers a beautiful green space for community residents.
“When we started, it was just going to be a grass area, but then we decided we needed a Christmas tree for an annual event in Linn called Christmas on Main Street,” said Klebba.
That led to other concepts, including shrubs, a gazebo and electricity.
“You’d think that would be an easy one, so I called Ameren and told them we needed electricity on the Square,” said Klebba.
It turned out to be not so easy a process, with the problem being the site needed an address.
The park sits on several parcels, and determining an address for the exact location was a challenge, considering the different venues which have called the land home.
“Many of you natives will remember there were several different names and identities here,” said Klebba.
Included in his search were “Do Overs,” “The Gun and Pawn Shop,” “Coyote Lounge,” “JR’s Lounge,” and “Cut and Curl,” none of which led to an exact address.
Klebba then tried, “the west side of the public square, blocks one, lots seven and eight,” which also failed to generate a corresponding address.
“The magic wand came up at 120 and 122 on the Square,” said Klebba. “We now have an address, and we hope this will have a much longer duration than many others did through the years. We hope the city enjoys it as much as we do. It’s open for the public and events, and beautification of the public goes a long way.”
A free public event was held Aug. 30 to kick off the park’s use. It was sponsored by the Osage County Historical Society (OCHS) featured the Osage Angels, which performed in the gazebo.
Legends Bank CEO and Board Chairman John A. Klebba noted the bank purchased the property with the idea that future expansion could take place across from Legends Bank’s headquarters.
As it turned out, Legends, which was founded in 1913, was able to purchase the old Linn Printing building next door, and after it was razed, construction began on a new expansion.
The park itself began as simply a green-space alternative to previous rundown buildings.
“I kind of had a concept to put a gazebo out here and make this a nice corner for the city, and after that, I lost all control of all planning and budgets,” said John Klebba. “This is what it turned out to be, and Mary Ann Gelven and Shelley Klebba have done a wonderful job.”
After reviewing bids, Legends Bank chose Haslag Landscaping of Centertown and proceeded with the ordering of materials to be included in the design. Owner Nick Haslag, who has ties to Osage County, said he is pleased to be working on this project.
“We do a lot of work here in the county, and know a lot of people,” said Haslag, who is a graduate of State Tech. “I appreciate having the opportunity to develop a nice park here.”
The project began Monday, May 18.
A diagonal walkway from Main Street to the north meets with the gazebo, which is available for many uses, and the park will add a counterpoint to the business-oriented Square.
John A. Klebba said this project is important to Legends Bank for several reasons. “We have been here in this location for a long time, and we’re going to be here for a long time to come,” he said. “This is another way we can contribute back to our community, and thank everyone for their continued business. It also helps to improve the aesthetics of the Square.”
On Friday, John A. Klebba said the park is a testament to where Linn is going as a community. “Things are looking bright,” he added. “The tech school has done great things for us and the community continues to grow and get better and better. We’re proud to be able to provide this to the city.”
Linn Mayor Dwight Massey said Legends Bank is a cornerstone of the community and thanked everyone involved for the addition of the park.
“This gives us green space, and gives people a place to go,” said Massey. “Kids can come here and families, and it’s a wonderful place to be.”
Massey considers the pocket park to be more than its definition. “More importantly than the park itself are the people who envision these things like John and Tom and all the people at Legends Bank,” he added. “It’s all the people in the community that put support behind it.”
When preparing his remarks, Massey said he considered the definition of the word “Legend,” and found the most suitable to be, “a collection of stories about an admirable person or persons.”
“It is my privilege to know and count the Klebbas to be friends of mine, and to be part of this community, and to work with Legends Bank to improve our community,” Massey said.
St. George Pastor Father Colin Franklin provided a benediction and blessing for the park.