brownfields

Project Background:

In the early nineteenth century, the property served as the market square for the City of Columbia. From 1908-1968, it was 

utilized as a bulk oil terminal for the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad (MKT). In 1977, the MKT abandoned the section 

of track and the City of Columbia converted the land into a hiking, biking, and fitness trail with a National Rails-to-Trails 

Conversion grant—one of the first awarded in the United States. In 1997, the city received a $40,000 grant from the Missouri 

Department of Natural Resources to remove a dilapidated building on the property. After demolition of the abandoned 

petroleum facility, soil contamination was found and the city applied for an EPA Brownfields grant to assist with the cleanup. 

The Cleanup grant was awarded in 2003. Throughout the cleanup process, over 7,500 cubic yards of oil-contaminated soil 

were removed from the property, as well as 12,000 gallons of contaminated water.

key accomPlishments:

•	 Secured $200,000 in funding from EPA to assist with the cleanup of 1.11 

acres of contaminated land, which was completed in less than a year.

•	 Leveraged $427,352 in local funding; $321,587 in donations; and a $149,850 

Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant for a total of approximately 

$900,000.

•	 Removed 7,500 cubic yards of contaminated soil and 12,000 gallons of 

contaminated water.

•	 Revitalized an area in the heart of the business district that serves as an 

example of how public and private funding can result in success.

•	 Honored by the Midwestern chapter of the International Society of 

Arboriculture for the project’s landscaping and tree planting.

outcome:

Flat Branch Park now serves as a center of community activity with a playground, spraygrounds, benches, a stormwater rain 

garden, an amphitheater, sculptures by a local artist and a gazebo that may be reserved for special events. The landscaping at the 

park received the Gold Leaf Award from the Midwestern Chapter of the International Society of Arborculture (ISA). This award 

is given annually to an individual or community that has used landscaping to enhance environmental protection, conservation 

and beautification. In June 2008, the park hosted the Twilight Festival and offered a variety of activities for families and kids each 

Thursday night. In addition to the activities, the park serves as a trailhead for the MKT Nature and Fitness Trail which extends 

over eight miles and connects many of Columbia’s parks. The trail is also part of the American Discovery Trail which extends 

from Delaware to California and passes through towns and cities, highlighting cultures, heritages and landscapes. 

Former Bulk Oil Terminal Returns as a Center of Community Activity

at-a-glance

flat branch park

columbia, MO

Cleanup Grant

EPA-560-F-10-224

July 2010

For additional data and geographic information for this and 

other Brownfields Grants, please visit EPA’s cleanups in 

My community: http://iaspub.epa.gov/Cleanups/

address: 400 Locust Street Columbia, MO 65201

ProPerty size: 2.5 acres

Former uses: Market square, Bulk oil terminal crossed by tracks 

current use: City park

ePa grant reciPient:

The City of Columbia received 

a $200,000 EPA Brownfields 

Petroleum Cleanup grant in 2003.

Project Partners:

Missouri Department of Natural 

Resources, Flat Branch Park 

Committee

fOr MOre InfOrMatIOn: Visit the EPA Brownfields Web site at http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/ or call EPA Region 7 at (913) 551-7003 

Flat Branch Park has revitalized the heart of 

the Columbia business district.