Kenneth & Mary King Pocket Park

The plaque at this newest of Hardy City Parks reads:

This park is dedicated to the memory of Kenneth and Mary King and their son, Circuit Judge Kevin King, in honor of their numerous contributions to the community and in recognition of the King family’s donation of this land for the enjoyment of the people of Hardy.

The King Family were instrumental in the development of Sharp County in the second half of the Twentieth Century, both as principals of the King Agency and, later, King Rhodes Real Estate and for their deep engagement in the community, particularly in youth programs.

The site of the park at 105 E. Main Street was originally the location of the R. M. Jackson Mercantile Company, built around1890, which later moved into the adjacent brick building in 1920. Since that time, this lot had been vacant until its acquisition by the King Family and donation to the Advertising & Promotion Commission and City for a park.

King Park provides approximately 1,250 square feet of space on Main Street to gather, rest, eat, hear music, and more with sunshades and fans to keep the park cool. Construction was financed by Hardy Advertising & Promotion taxes collected by the City’s dining and lodging establishments.