Restoration of Krug Park castle ramps up as part of $12.7 million renaissance

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The iconic Krug Park castle is getting its turn for long-awaited improvements as project crews widen their net to multiple construction areas within the park this fall.

Brick by brick, specialized masonry workers repaired damaged and deteriorating mortar throughout the exterior of the 102-year-old castle Monday, using scaffolds to reach high-up areas and revitalize its appearance.

“They'll do this as long as weather approves. Then they're going to move inside the building and start doing some of the demo work in there," St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Atkins said. "It's major because there's so much brick."

Once complete, the interior of the castle will be transformed with a new reception and concession area, restrooms and event space upstairs, bringing to life original castle plans that went dormant nearly a century ago.

The plan is to pair the revamped event castle with the playground area next door, which will be remodeled into a theater-like entertainment venue with a new stage for scenic weddings, plays and other performances.

New seating and ADA-accessible pathways will be constructed on the hillside and outer walkway, including re-introduction of the once-popular glide swings.

"The beauty of that being the entertainment venue is you've got the castle right next door for the main support structure. Your bridal party can get ready for the wedding. The mid-level. You can have the bigger restrooms available for events. You've got the reception area. This area just becomes a hub," Atkins said.

The latest phase of work is part of a widespread $12.7 million parks tax project to modernize nearly every section of the park, a project estimated for completion in 2027.

Now five months into construction, the castle and playground is one of multiple sites where upgrades are currently being carried out, pedestrians will also see the amphitheater area undergoing heavy renovations before arriving at the castle.

Plans for the amphitheater/bowl area include a new stage and viewing area with an improved backdrop with the lagoon, as well as new sidewalks, utilities, and a 24-by-56-foot concession stand to serve visitors during events.

"They've been bringing in a lot of dirt to change the grade where they took out the old stage, because the new stage will be just a little bit east," Atkins said. “That's kind of the beauty of this project. The citizens can come up and visit the job sites."

Many of the park’s new features will harken back to the old days of the park, a result of considerable community feedback, including large slides and playground equipment in the new Buffalo Bowl Adventure area planned for Phase 3.

Phase 4 of the project includes upgrading the park’s entryway with a new walking path and improved connections to the Parkway, including a new sidewalk that loops around the entire lagoon.

In Atkins' view, installation and upgrades to park utilities like water, sewer and electricity will be one of the more unheralded aspects of the entire project.

“Here real soon. They're going to be doing some work up there to replace the utilities that serve the area," he said. "You have to have a good quality sewer line coming out of it. All the non glamorous stuff. That's probably some the most important." 

For those looking ahead to the holiday season, construction wasn't the only work taking place at Krug Park on Monday. City crews also kicked off the weekslong process of setting up Christmas lights and decorations for the popular Holiday Park show.