E.P. Ripley Park has been the heart of Marceline since 1898. The City and volunteers take great pride in its maintenance, and residents and visitors alike utilize the Park on a daily basis.

Ripley Square was established thanks to the generosity of Edward Payson Ripley, then‑president of the Santa Fe Railroad, who donated 10 lots to the city that had previously held a grain elevator and several out-buildings. By 1902 Mayor Walter Cash had the land graded, and trees, walkways, and fountains were installed, and ‘lake’ was constructed from one side of the Park to the other, where you could rent canoes and watch the swans. The Park also became a floral showcase for Marceline.

Elias Disney would occasionally fiddle in the park’s bandstand, and it’s said that Walt Disney often visited the Park to watch trains go by, sometimes accepting a dare to pull the whistle cord on a waiting engine. These early experiences must have influenced Walt’s the creation of Main Street, U.S.A. and the Disneyland Railroad.

In December 20, 1955 steam engine #2546 was placed in the Square and was dedicated in 1956. In 1992 the Veterans Memorial was installed, honoring those who served from the Marceline area. In 2015 the Ripley Square Pond Bridge was added to help beautify the Park for years to come.