Holiday Tree Trail at Mercy Park
With its tall, slender grasses swaying elegantly in the wind near the shimmering water of the pond, the natural beauty at Joplin’s Mercy Park shines for 11 months of the year.
During the holidays, that natural beauty is enhanced with the addition of decorated trees and sparkling lights, making the park purely magical.
Thirty trees, decorated by local organizations and businesses, line the Holiday Tree Trail that winds around the park’s pond.
Other park structures are wrapped in lights, and seeing those lights reflect on the water at night is a sight to behold.
I live just a short walk from Mercy Park and visit it often, so I’ve seen the decorated trees both during the day and at night. Daylight reveals the details of the trees’ ornaments and overall themes.
At night, those same trees transform into enchanting works of colorful, electric art.
Visitors to the park can vote for their favorite tree in the tree decorating contest, sponsored by Texas Roadhouse.
Just use your phone to scan the QR code in front of your favorite tree, and you will be taken to a ballot where you can cast your vote online.
The tree-lighting event for the Holiday Tree Trail, held in November, was one of those idyllic nights when seemingly half the town showed up to usher in the holiday festivities – like in a scene from a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Local TV personalities Howie and Bubba, from “Good Morning, Four States,” emceed the event which featured performances from Karen’s Dance Studio’s dancers – including my daughter :). There were several food trucks at the park, and free hot chocolate and cookies were passed out to those who wanted a sweet treat.
Of course, no Christmas event would be complete without the appearance of Santa. Jolly Old Saint Nick sat patiently in his sleigh as kids lined up for the chance to take a photo with him.
Even though Santa had to leave later that night (he’s a busy man, after all), his sleigh remains at the park, making an ideal setting for holiday photos.
Santa will make another appearance at the park on Saturday, December 18, when Joplin Parks and Recreation hosts a Family Fun Night at the park. There will be a Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt, a holiday movie shown on an outdoor screen, as well as hot chocolate and popcorn.
Other ongoing holiday happenings at Mercy Park include the Joplin Public Library’s “Storywalk” installation, which includes signs along the trail featuring a storybook.
It’s a fun way to engage little ones as they walk through the park.
Joplin Parks and Recreation, along with Mercy Hospital, have also created the “Roll-n-Stroll” activity. Participants track at least five activities through December 31, and the first 200 participants to turn in their tracking sheets will receive a plush knit beanie courtesy of Mercy Hospital.
There’s a whole lot of holiday spirit buzzing around Mercy Park. Come experience it yourself, now through the end of December.
Mercy Park is located at 3002 St. John’s Boulevard in Joplin. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
To read more about my adventures in the area, visit JoplinMoLife.
Here are some more photos from the Holiday Tree Trail:
Happy Holidays!
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This article was commissioned by the Joplin CVB, however the opinions expressed are purely my own. The purpose of Joplin MO Life is to highlight all the best that our area has to offer, and when an article is written about a restaurant, business, attraction, or event, it is because I have had an enjoyable experience and want to share it with others.
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Living Life to The Fullest!
I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.
