Watson dreams of revitalizing Jones Memorial Park

KENNETT, Mo. - After graduating from Kennett High School in 1983, Darrell Watson left for almost 40 years.

Eventually, he began to feel something pull him to come back home. Upon his arrival back at Kennett, his nephew Ryne Branum pitched the idea of a men’s softball team. Along with this, other members of the community began working out plans to bring back a co-ed softball league in Kennett.

“I thought, ‘well, we have no place to play,’” Watson said. “So that’s where I came out here and I wanted to try and start something. My plan was to try and get a big two or four field adult softball complex out here. I thought, ‘let’s use Jones Park.’”

According to Watson, Jones park used to be a hotspot on the weekends for adult softball when he was a kid. 

He said he would come out every weekend to watch his dad play softball with his friends. He recalls all the memories he made at Jones Park which shaped his childhood.

“It touched me and I wanted to do something because that was something me and my dad shared.” Watson said. “We didn’t share a whole lot, but we shared that and it was something that I wanted to do kind of for me and him because that was one of the things we did together and I just have special memories.”

In February of 2009, an ice storm devastated most of Southeast Missouri, including Kennett. Jones Park became a victim of fallen power lines and tree branches, destroying the majority of its landscaping.

The softball fields never recovered, becoming an abandoned grassy landmark for the park.

“Jones park was a disaster,” Watson said. “The storm destroyed the fencing and took out all the lights. Ever since then, there hasn’t been a softball field or a softball game played here.”

Aftermath of the 2009 ice storm which destroyed Jones Park and other areas of Kennett taken on Feb. 2, 2009.File photo submitted by Larry Jones of Kennett

Watson decided to talk to whoever he can find to help clean up and revitalize Jones Memorial Park.

He reached out to Kennett City Council and the Parks Department for physical and financial aid in this project. However, the city did not have the funds to help support Watson’s dreams.

In response, Watson started a Venmo and GoFundMe page.

The GoFundme, titled Support Darrell’s Dream: Kennett Softball Revival, was set at a goal price of over $10,000. On the page, he shares his connection to Jones park and his reasons for tackling this mission.

“By donating to this project, you will help create memories,” Watson said. “Much like the ones that I continue to hold dear when I and others watched our dads play on this great field.”

The community support has driven this project, According to Watson.

He said the donations he has received helped fund the bases along with the paint and everything to make the infield playable. 

Local Kennett businesses have also pitched in to help the project.

Tingle Landscaping helped provide dirt to spread around the infield. Greenpoint Agriculture fertilized the field while the Kennett Fire Department brought 4,000 gallons of water to care for the grass. The Parks Department had also been a huge help in this project by spraying the field and getting rid of the grass in the infield. 

Jones Park softball field covered by grass prior to Darrell Watson project to revitalize the park. Photo provided.

Many members of the community have also provided physical labor on the weekends to tend to the field with Watson.

Kennett Co-Ed Sports, who started the slow pitch softball league, have been huge helpers as they will be the first group to use this renovated field.

Shane McElwreth said Watson's work at Jones park has been beneficial to helping their league start up. Despite Watson's vision for Jones Parks, his work directly impacts Kennett Co-Ed Sports as they hope to play at Jones Park.

“He raised money independently separate from our league,” McElwrath said. “But all the parts will help the league. All the money he raised directly supports our league.”

Watson said a lot of his work would not have been accomplished without the leagues helping hand.

They are set to have the field ready for play on Saturday, Aug. 24. The opening ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. while first pitched will be an hour later at 10 a.m.

“Without this community, without these guys, this wouldn’t come to fruition,” Watsons said. “And we know that this is just the beginning. What you will see on opening day is on the footprint that we’re laying on this.”

Watson hopes to redo the dugouts, redesign the backstop at home plate and many more ideas. He also wants to put lights back up so they can play night games.

According to Watson, he does not plan on stopping until there is an entire softball complex at Jones Memorial Park.

“I’m trying to revitalize this area as much as I can because it means a lot to me, but it also means a lot to so many people here and the city of Kennett,” Watson said. “Little by little, we’ll make this park home again.”

Donations for the Jones Park project can made on Venmo at KennettMOSoftball or on GoFundMe.