Duquesne dedicates Memorial Park on tornado anniversary

DUQUESNE, Mo. - Duquesne officials and community members cut the ribbon Friday on Memorial Park.

The park honors those killed in the May 22, 2011, tornado.

In that storm, the 161 people who were killed included nine from Duquesne. Hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed along the 20th Street corridor, with much of the damage in Duquesne occurring south of 20th Street.

Duquesne received two grants for the project, one for nearly $97,000 from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the other totaling $227,875 from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. The grant money was matched by local investment "and much more," said Terry Ingram, city clerk.

"We've put some sweat equity into that park for sure," said Becca White, a Duquesne alderman who serves on the park committee. "We're really excited to see it come to a close and for the city to be able to use it."

The 2-acre park currently includes a quarter-mile walking path, park benches, playground equipment, a splash pad, a shelter with picnic tables and a restroom. The splash pad opened Memorial Day weekend and remain open daily through Labor Day.

White said officials also intend to install a remembrance clock tower to honor those who died and also those who are storm survivors. The city has approved funding for that. The clock will be permanently fixed at the exact time the tornado hit the community.

The park is at 1501 Duquesne Road.

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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 5:48 AM.