Leisure Activities

Webb City Parks & Recreation and the Webb City Farmers Market
Working to Improve Health and Wellness Through Fun and Food

America continues to feel the strain of a serious health crisis affecting adults and young alike. The health crisis which we are plagued by is caused by poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, and unhealthy habits. But there is a solution with little to no cost and is available right here in our community – local parks and recreation and the Webb City Farmers Market. The scientific evidence is mounting that recreation and healthy lifestyles are building healthier communities and top health officials in the country – U.S. Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – validate that exercise and proper diet are a critical solution for our nation’s health epidemic. By enacting strategies focused on improving access to healthy food, increasing opportunities for physical activity, decreasing tobacco consumption, and so much more, the Webb City Parks & Recreation Department and the Webb City Farmers Market are working together to help create a more healthy and thriving community.

Christmas just isn’t Christmas without experiencing the fun and excitement of a ride on the Polar Bear Express. Each year, the Parks & Recreation Department decorates the community park with holiday lighting and displays for a festive trolley ride that the whole family can enjoy. And each year the display changes so you never know what to expect to see. Along with a visit from Santa Claus, some Christmas Caroling, and holiday treats, the Winter Wonderland Christmas program makes Christmas a truly community event. You can find out more about the Winter Wonderland program featuring the Polar Bear Express in coming months right here, or you can visit us on our Facebook page.

The Webb City Park & Recreation Department holds an annual Easter Egg Hunt on the Saturday preceding Easter Weekend. If inclement weather causes a postponement, we attempt to hold the event the following weekend on Easter Saturday. The event is held in the back of King Jack Park between the soccer and baseball fields.  Over 10,000 eggs are distributed in four separate areas for children to gather. Along with our three separate age brackets, we have an area set aside for our children with special needs. Everyone is invited to attend. The event is free but, please, remember to bring your own BIG egg basket...you’ll need it.

The Webb City Parks & Recreation Department is proud to partner with the Southwest Missouri Electric Railroad Association in providing early 1900’s style trolley rides around King Jack Park. The restored early 1920’s trolley, Old No. 60, is mounted on a 1.1 mile track and brings a nostalgic experience right out of the tri-state mining and post-mining days of Webb City to riders of all ages.  The Southwest Missouri Electric Railway was truly one of the nation’s first mass transit systems. It began operations in 1889 as a mule powered operation and it was later upgraded to electric in 1903. The railroad would eventually radiate out from Webb City connecting the towns of Cartersville, Carthage, Galena, Joplin, Baxter Springs, Picher, Oklahoma and later Pittsburg, Kansas through a 94 mile system of tracks.. Along with passenger services the railroad also carried freight. The railway remained in operation until 1939 when service was finally discontinued.  In 2011, the Webb City Park Board purchased a sister trolley for the park system. This sister though runs on rubber wheels. The Park Board wanted a trolley that could transport visitors to and from special events around the four state area.  The Webb City Parks & Recreation maintenance crew literally disassembled this used trolley down to its frame and rebuilt it into a show-piece for our community. In the coming year, several excursions to different nature preserves and Audubon centers are planned as family day trips. We will also make the trolley available for weddings, birthday parties, and other special events throughout the year. More information on the trolley can be found on the Facilities page. You can see a slideshow of the trolley restoration work. We are proud of the work and commitment that the Webb City Parks & Recreation employees put into this effort on behalf of the Webb City community. The street trolley can be hired for local weddings and parties. For pricing and availability, please call 417-673-4651.