Springfield, MO Entertainment

TAG 5: Parks

Posted by Brett Johnston

Sequiota Park TAG 5: Parks

The cave at Sequiota Park is a popular summer spot.

(TAG 5 is a top five list compiled by secret ballot, submitted by the four horsemen of TAG. An extremely complicated equation is used to calculate the polls. Mostly they are related to SGF, sometimes they are not. A new TAG 5 is released every Monday.)

SGFers are the lucky recipients of great parks. A statement which has been subject to some dispute. One voter filed just three votes, citing “crappy parks” in town. Personally, this was one of the most difficult top fives we‘ve done. The good parks in SGF are incredible, but the fields with jungle gyms (though filling a neighborhood need) could be noted as “crappy”. What do you think? Take a break at some of our favorites and run down the Park Board’s complete list and let us know what you think.

With brilliant natural scenery, Sequiota Park won our vote, topping a pair of lists. Sequiota is home to a cave, lake and jogging trail which stretches into the tree line (it also nudges up against Galloway Station for that mid-run beer). The Nature Center is another Southside favorite with miles of hiking trails surrounded in the natural beauty of the Ozarks. Nathanael Greene is extremely spacious with several gardens boasting regional plants and flowers. Among the highlights are the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, Hosta Garden and a Butterfly garden. A large pond hosts ducks and geese during the warm months. The front end of Oak Grove isn’t much to look at, but the disc golf course is a popular attraction. Silver Springs is basically the field with a jungle gym. BUT it has one of the most active outdoor basketball courts in town (outside of Missouri State campus).

Four votes (as of 3/29/10)
Total points, first-place votes in parenthesis
1. Sequiota, 3500 S Lone Pine – 15 (2)
2. Nature Center, 4600 S Chrisman – 14 (1)
3. Nathanael Greene, 2400 S Scenic – 10
4. Oak Grove, 1538 S Oak Grove – 7
5. Silver Springs, 1100 N Hampton – 5 (1)

Others receiving votes: Phelps Grove 4, Jordan Valley Ice Park 1, Founders Park 1

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  • http://Thisone Chris DeRosier

    This can also depend on what you classify as a “park.” Wilson’s Creek and Springfield Skate Park are both classified by the city as parks but might not immediately come to mind in that “shade tree and a bench” sort of context. According to the Park Board website (http://www.parkboard.org/), there’s even a botanical garden in the city. Maybe it’s time to explore. ;)

  • http://www.tagsgf.com Brett Johnston

    Nathanael Greene Park is so expansive it houses several other parks (including the Botanical garden and others in the story, which are listed separately by the Park Board). But they’re all worthy destinations on their own. There’s even a huge greenhouse and gardening center under construction. That complex of green is really incredible. The Park Board also lists the public golf courses as parks. I don’t think of it as a park after there’s a price tag.

    Looking at the list, it’s still hard for McBride not to make it because of how multi-faceted it is year round. There’s a great disc golf course for summer, and the perfect hills for sledding.

  • cheesehands

    Doling Park. Not only do they have a great family center/rec center…they also have a pond and a cave. And the cave is better than Sequiota’s.

    Give it a chance.

    • http://tagsgf.com/members/admin/ Scott Perket

      Great suggestion!

  • http://www.stangebrewing.com BenRod

    Sequiota has always been my favorite park. Lots of climbing and hiking fun, and good frisbee areas, which is very important to me.

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