Creative Space Activation that Overcomes Setbacks to Transform the “Littlest Park on Main” In Brookfield
August 28, 2025 | Caidyn Clardie
Missouri Main Street Connection’s (MMSC) Creative Space Activation Grant, launched in 2022 and provides $10,000 in funding for local Main Street organizations to transform outdoor public spaces in their Main Street’s district into vibrant places for all ages. By supporting placemaking projects that align with communities’ incremental revitalization initiatives, the grant helps create spaces that build connections, foster pride, and spark economic activity.
In 2024, Main Street Brookfield captured this opportunity by securing the grant with a brilliant sing-a-long skit that illustrated their vision to activate an underutilized lot into the “Littlest Park on Main,” a small but mighty green space designed for gatherings, markets, and special events right in the heart of downtown.
A Vision for the Center of Town
Cheyenne Graff, Executive Director of Main Street Brookfield, shared “Brookfield is smack dab in the middle of Missouri, Highway 36, and Linn County. In the middle of Brookfield’s historic Main Street sits the ‘Littlest Park on Main’, which is currently a small lot with a big story.” It was once home to the Brownlee-Moore Bank before neglect by abandonment and a fire reduced the property to a vacant lot. Years passed without ownership or development, until Show-Me Possibilities/Shop Show-Me purchased the neighboring building and discovered the lot came with it. Now with an owner the property could be activated and maintained.
Main Street Brookfield came forward with a vision to reclaim this “orphaned” space and transform it into a welcoming, functional park. The Board of Directors envisioned the “Littlest Park on Main” as the meeting place, festival space, farmers market location, and more. Once activated it would serve residents while they shop downtown and provide a space for Creative Pathways to utilize for enrichment activities for adults with disabilities that they support.
Board member Donna Hulett shared, “the location’s potential was clear: a perfect rest stop for visitors exploring Brookfield’s ‘This Place Matters’ self-guided tours, a cozy venue for music and storytelling, and the seasonal home of the community’s beloved Christmas ‘Magic Tree’.”
Turning Plans into Reality Through Volunteers and Perseverance
With the grant in hand, the Main Street Brookfield team set out to make the park a reality. Their plan included:
- Removing trees, grading the lot, and expanding grassy areas.
- Reusing and adding paver walkways for better access.
- Inspecting and upgrading water and electrical lines for lighting and irrigation.
- Building stone flower boxes with integrated poles for string lights.
- Planting new trees and flowers for shade and color.
- Installing benches, picnic tables, and a trash receptacle.
- Adding a large “Brookfield” mural to the adjacent wall to anchor the park visually.
Flexibility was key as the space needed to work for farmers markets, vendor booths, fitness classes, and small concerts, while still providing a relaxing place for a quiet lunch or parade-watching. The $10,000 grant provided a strong foundation for funding Main Street Brookfield’s plan at activating this lot. The total project cost, especially for labor, exceeded the seed funding with the costs including concrete work and equipment rentals for tree removal, excavation, and cleanup.
Main Street Brookfield overcame these challenges by relying on volunteers and community donations. Local businesses provided material, and skilled residents donated their time to handle much of the construction and landscaping.
Weather created additional setbacks as heavy rain delayed hydroseeding and a string of graffiti vandalism around town prompted the decision to add security cameras to protect the park. Still, the community pressed forward, proving that determination and teamwork can overcome even the toughest obstacles.
A Park for Everyone
Today, the “Littlest Park on Main” is a vibrant, multi-use space that reflects Brookfield’s spirit. Its central location makes it a natural hub for shoppers, visitors, and Creative Pathways participants, who can now enjoy activities just steps from their facility. The community is already enjoying evenings under the string lights, seasonal decorations, and local artwork with events. The inviting atmosphere of the park will continue to invite people into its flexible space for the community gatherings, celebrations, and connections.
Looking Ahead
Brookfield joins Liberty and Delmar as Creative Space Activation Grant recipients that have transformed underutilized spaces into thriving community assets. Salisbury is now starting their journey as the 2025 Creative Space Activation Grant recipient., Coinciding with its 20th anniversary, MMSC will offer the grant again in 2026.
Will your community be next? The “Littlest Park on Main” is a reminder that even the smallest spaces can make the biggest difference when a community comes together to dream, design, and do.
