Cunningham Park, Joplin...

Cunningham Park is the site of a memorial to the victims and survivors of the devastating EF-5 Tornado that ripped through Joplin on the 22nd of May, 2011. It was here that the tornado reached peak strength with winds in excess of 200 mph. (320 km/h.) Riaan, Eliza and I went there on Thursday, 7th March. We spent a little over an hour walking through the park and Riaan played at the play area. It was quite a sobering experience.

 The memorial to those who lost their lives.

 Riaan at the Volunteer's Tribute.

 The wristband reads "The Miracle of the Human Spirit."

 The main memorial is a Butterfly Garden and Scenic Overlook.

 One of the Information Boards.

 Riaan looks on at part of the memorial.

 The wall of remembrance. It usually has water flowing down it.

 The Children's Memorial is a reflecting pond on the site where the original play area was.

 View across Cunningham Park. Just to the left of centre and across the road is an outdoor chapel. It stands on the spot where the original chapel inside St. John's Regional Medical Center was located. The hospital was moved four inches off its foundation and suffered massive damage, and was subsequently demolished.

 Riaan enjoyed the new play area.

 View of the new playground.