Detweiler Park: The Former Kirksville High School Site Today

Detweiler Park is a small City park at 411 E. McPherson St. on the former Kirksville High School site.

It is not a large recreation complex. Its interest comes from the combination of a recognizable former school property, a newer public park and a local civic namesake.

What is at Detweiler Park now?

The City's current Parks, Trails & Facilities page lists two main physical features:

• concrete walkways;
• a gazebo constructed from recycled materials.

That short list is worth preserving as-is. Older planning material discussed additional possibilities, but planning documents are not proof that benches, art, parking changes, historical signage or landscaping projects were ultimately completed.

If a feature is important to your visit, use the current City park page rather than an old concept plan.

Why is it called Detweiler Park?

The City says the park was dedicated in 2023 and named for former Mayor Richard Detweiler.

A 2023 Lakes, Parks & Recreation Commission record also described Detweiler as a former City councilmember and mayor. It noted that members of his family attended the gazebo ribbon cutting and had helped fund improvements to the site.

That record also mentioned an additional family donation for future park development. A donation or proposal, however, does not establish which later improvements were actually built.

What was here before the park?

The City identifies the property as the site of the old Kirksville High School.

That is the safe historical claim supported by the current park information. This article does not assign a demolition date or reconstruct the full history of the former school building without a separate archival source establishing those details.

Is Detweiler Park a playground or sports park?

The City's current page does not list a playground, sports court, field or restroom at Detweiler Park.

For those activities, use the broader Practical Guide to Kirksville’s City Parks to choose a park built around recreation.

Detweiler Park is better understood as a compact public space with a local-history connection and a gazebo rather than a miniature version of Rotary or Jaycee Park.