I’m starting to be a little concerned about my home town. It’s not going to look the same as I left it. Judi said that 10,000 trees in the park system alone are damaged. That hurts. Just two days ago I was bragging about our beautiful parks and greenways, maybe we can help clean up when I get back.
Want to help with the clean up? Rather touch people instead of trees? Consider donating to, or volunteering with Convoy of Hope.
Close
Memorial Park
2400 S. Scenic [map
& satellite photo]
Coordinates: 37.169183,-93.329029
Adventure Notes:
I’ve already spent three posts telling you about the wonderful things
Nathaniel Greene Park offers. Here’s another. When you turn off
Scenic at the park sign, take a right and you’ll discover Close Memorial
Park along with it’s beautiful garden and lake.
Fassnight Park
S. Campbell & Meadowmere[map]
Coordinates:7.193298,-93.296646
Adventure Notes:
This was a very busy park on a recent Sunday after church.
Children were playing, teenagers were… well whatever it is that teenagers
do, and an older gentleman was enjoying the shade while reading a book.
There’s a good selection of play ground equipment, and some nice trails and
bridges to explore. The
Fassnight pool opened in 1927 and is still a popular place. The
building definitely has character.
Quick Description:
"swimming & wading pool, water slide,
children’s & adolescents’ play equipment, restrooms, 1 lighted softball field,
outdoor basketball court, 2 outdoor handball courts – unlighted, picnic tables
& grills, open shelters, open play area"
Other Notes:
Another park bathroom with no doors on the stalls… What’s the deal?
More Info:
Historical Info and Postcard
The Springs of Greene County – Scroll down. You’ll find info about lots of Springfield parks.
Doling Park
2600 N. Campbell Ave [map]
Coordinates: 37.246155,-93.292138
Closed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m
Adventure Notes:
This is a wonderful park on the North side of Springfield. There is a
lake, a cave, play ground, picnic area, a new paved trail and more. They
dedicated the new Merrell Cooper Conservation Area trail on May 13th. It’s great. We hiked that
same area last summer. The changes are amazing. They’ve built a beautiful
bridge… which is much better than the approach I took last summer… I
tumbled down a hill and into a creek. Thankfully no one saw me.
There are approximately one bajillion geese at this park. Sarah was convinced they were going to eat her. We pretended that the birds were harmless… But you know, if that many geese decided to organize, they could take over the world.
Quick Description:
"Swimming & wading pool, gymnasium, children’s
& adolescents’ play equipment, horseshoes, 2 lighted tennis courts, picnic
tables & grills, open shelters, open play area, lake
Other Notes:
More Info:
Doling
Family Center
Park History
Old Doling Park Postcards
Nathaniel Greene Park
2400 S. Scenic [map & satellite photo]
Coordinates: 37.171469,-93.328310
Adventure Notes:
Nathaniel Greene Park keeps surprising me. Every time I go back I discover something completely different in this 59 acre park. On our latest visit, we discovered the play ground, picnic area, and the Master Gardener’s Demonstration Garden. The park has a lot of beautiful green space. Rolling hills, towering trees… but not a lot of play ground equipment.
Who cares about multiple swing sets? It has it’s very own "Jungle!" That’s what Jeremiah calls the Demonstration Garden. He led us through the jungle, contemplating which trail was safe to take, bravely blazing through what he truly believed was a lion infested forest. There were no wild animals to be found. One wild butterfly did attack Jeremiah though.
Another Adventure:
We took another trip to Nathaniel Greene and discovered monuments, a turf demonstration, and statues. I’ve added more photos below.
Other Notes: The women’s bathroom has a door on the stall but it’s still not nearly as nice as the one at Chesterfield.
Found in Nathaniel Greene Park:
Close Memorial Park
Gray-Campbell Farmstead
Japanese Stroll Gardens
More Info:
The Demonstration Garden
The Gray/Campbell Farmstead
In Nathaniel Green Park
2400 S. Scenic [map
& satellite photo]
Coordinates: 37.172542,-93.325692
Season: Apr – Sept.
Hours: Weekends 1pm – 4:30pm during the season.
Admission:
Free
Adventure Notes:
We found this historic location while visiting the
Japanese Stroll Garden. As soon as we got there, Jeremiah saw the
locked doors and said, "I can’t believe they’re closed!" I had no idea
what he was talking about. Turns out he was right. If we had showed
up on a weekend we would have been greeted by costumed guides presenting the
history of the farmstead. I guess we’ll have to go back so we can update you.
Quick Description:
"The home of John Polk Campbell, nephew and namesake of the founder of Springfield, MO. The farmstead includes the 1856 house, detached log kitchen, log granary, two-crib barns and family cemetery."
More Info:
Friends of The
Gray/Campbell Farmstead
THE GRAY-CAMPBELL HOUSE SAGA
Events:
SHEEP AND WOOL DAY
JUNE 12, 1-6 PM.
Fiber arts festival featuring sheep shearing, stock dog demonstrations, fiber crafts, music, and games.
