By Murray Bishoff Special to the Monett Monthly

Larry Howard, who has worked on Monett’s parks for 22 and a half years, retired at the end of October. A reception in his honor was held on Oct. 28 at Monett City Hall. 

Howard served for 21 years as the North Park superintendent. He concluded his tenure in the newly created position of parks superintendent, beginning in 2025. 

Howard found it difficult to name one thing about which he was most proud in his career. 

“I enjoyed working with the grass, and the school district on the ball fields,” he said. “It was a lot of fun working as parks superintendent with the Freedom Park, the dog park, the upgraded North Park, the new playground at South Park, and the new tennis courts at North Park.”

Eyeing future city projects he leaves behind, Howard spoke about starting the new botanical garden at South Park, laying the groundwork for new pickleball courts, which came into existence by converting old tennis courts, and renovating the Frisco caboose.

“I was excited to see the green barn [at North Park] go away,” Howard said. “We’ve come a long way since 2004.”

As for his future plans, Howard vowed to do nothing in the near future. 

“I’m going to enjoy one day at a time,” he said.