The city of St. Joseph has accepted the donation of park property from Whirlpool.
At a meeting this week, attorney Laurie Schmidt told city commissioners the 2.24 acres that are Milton Park, at 1524 Niles Avenue at the corner of Winchester Avenue, are owned by the company. It’s been leasing that space to the city for Milton Park at a cost of $1 per year for decades.
“Whirlpool bought the property from St. Joseph Public Schools in 1977 for $50,000,” Schmidt said. “At the time they purchased it, it was limited to use as a public park. Whirlpool then turned around and leased it to the city. There was an initial 10 -year lease and then a second one that was in place after that time.”
When Whirlpool bought the property from St. Joseph Public Schools, it was the site of Milton Junior High School, which was no longer needed by the district and demolished as part of the transaction.
Schmidt said Whirlpool has been reviewing its properties and trying to clear up a few things lately. Therefore, it’s offered to give the Milton Park property to the city. Mayor Brook Thomas had no problem with that.
“Well, a donated park always sounds good to me,” Thomas said.
Commissioners agreed and accepted the donation as a quit claim deed from Whirlpool.
Milton Park includes a playground, a walking and bike path, picnic tables, benches, and an amphitheater. Community activities like Candy Cane Lane in the winter and Movies in the Park in the summer are held there. With Whirlpool’s donation, the city now outright owns the land.
