Rose garden could be moved to expanded Murtaugh Park

The city of Cape Girardeau wants to bring more attention to two of its lesser known parks.

Murtaugh Park and the Melvin Gateley Rose Garden are two of the city's smallest parks that honor two notable figures in Cape Girardeau's history.

Murtaugh Park, near the intersection of William and Main streets, was named after the Rev. James A. Murtaugh. He became head of St. Vincent's College in 1911 and was one of the city's civic leaders.

Murtaugh Park is seen Saturday next to the Red House Interpretive Center in Cape Girardeau. The park is being enlarged by filling in the former Aquamsi Street. The park was dedicated in 1928 in memory of the Rev. James A. Murtaugh, C.M., a civic-minded Catholic priest who served the Vincentian parish and schools here. (Fred Lynch)

The park was once a 0.2-acre strip of land between Main and Aquamsi streets, but more than doubled in size weeks ago when the city removed part of Aquamsi, adding more green space to the park. The street became obsolete after Main Street was no longer one way.

The Melvin Gateley Rose Garden behind city hall honors Melvin Gateley, a former teacher and city council member who worked to improve and restore pride in the city through Vision 2000 and Vision 2020. Throughout the late 1980s and '90s, Gateley worked with Vision 2000 to plant more than 5,000 rose bushes throughout the city.

Soon, Gateley's tribute garden could be moved into or near Murtaugh Park. Mayor Harry Rediger said the reason for the move is twofold.

"It's necessary because they're doing the stormwater relief project through Fountain [Street] that would go through the park where it is now," he said.

The other reason for the move is visibility. Rediger said many people are unaware of the garden's existence and location and therefore are unable to enjoy it.

Although Murtaugh Park sits out in the open in downtown Cape Girardeau, the location has not contributed much to the park's popularity. Despite the stone marker, Rediger said many people don't even know it's an official city park, but the city hopes to change that.

"I think it's really become more of a city park with the expansion," he said.

Murtaugh Park is seen Saturday in downtown Cape Girardeau. The park is being enlarged by filling in the former Aquamsi Street. The park was dedicated in 1928 in memory of the Rev. James A. Murtaugh, C.M., a civic-minded Catholic priest who served the Vincentian parish and schools here. (Fred Lynch)

The park sits adjacent to the Red House Interpretive Center, which commemorates the visit of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in November 1803. Rediger said adding the rose garden into the mix would be a "good supplement" to both properties.

The mayor said he's excited about the move and he's not the only one.

"Mr. Gateley worked in concert with the city for many years," Rediger said. "About six weeks ago I walked through the garden with him and discussed moving it and he was very excited about the probability of moving it to a location where it would be more visible to the public."

The Murtaugh Park expansion is a Transportation Trust Fund 4 project. Rediger said it's part of a larger project to improve William Street, beginning with the Main Street intersection.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

William Street and South Main Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.