Entertainment Springfield, MO (Sports, Live Music, Food, Arts, More) » Go Play!

Go Play!: Snowball fights and sledding

Brett Johnston — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:57:55 +0000

It's time to hit the hills, SGF.

Don’t hate the snow! Embrace it! It’s time to wax your garbage pail lid and hit the slopes. Years ago the best spot to sled in SGF was the (no trespassing) driving range on South Campbell – which is now that hideous Sam’s Club (SGF got hosed on that deal, but that rant is for another time). Schools and parks are the best spots in town. Here’s a short list of the top locations.

Sledding:

McBride Elementary (5005 S Farm Road 135) – One giant hill drops onto an icy patch below. There are more narrow paths lined in trees for the more daring.

Disney Elementary (4100 S Fremont) – It’s a quick trip down, and a quick stop is necessary at most spots near the bottom. It’s a crowded hill on good days.

Jordan Valley Park (635 E Trafficway) – Jordan Valley is so wide that most people keep to themselves. Look out for kids below and other sleds. JVP is almost a competitive spot to sled, but there are lots of good runs.

Snow ball fights:

Oak Grove Park (1538 S Oak Grove) – There’s enough room to build your own forts, but enough people to share the collective experience and smack a complete stranger with a sphere of snowflakes.

Phelps Grove Park (930 E Bennett) – With the pavilion, Phelps Grove offers plenty of “safe” zones. Another vast park, you can make space for a private battle or join one of the massive community efforts (much more fun).

Seen this before?

We posted this a couple weeks ago, but seriously, the sledding weather wasn’t nearly this incredible. After it went up, you said you wanted a fight. Well, here goes: I challenge you. All of you. Snowball fight. Today (Sat. Jan 30).

Because you may have friends who are more sled inclined we’ll keep it neutral and go to McBride Elementary. 10 a.m. Early? Yes. I already ate the worm with last night’s tequila. Your snowball throwing prowess might be good enough to make the TAGSGF.com Super Bowl Special … but probably they will never phase me.

Go Play!: Could be first (and last) warm day to walk/jog a trail for a while

Brett Johnston — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:54:17 +0000

It's warm outside, let your puppy stretch her legs - just not at the Nature Center.

The clouds are lifting for a warm and sunny afternoon, so you’d better take advantage. With another round of winter weather on the way this week, it could be a couple months until our next chance to get out in 50-degree temperatures. With the Ozarks Greenways looping through the city and the Nature Center‘s circling pathways, there are plenty of trails to get some fresh air.

If you’re a pet owner, it’s a great way to let the pooch stretch her legs and go for a jog, as well, but don’t take Fido to the Nature Center. A volunteer quickly and commandingly broke my puppy’s heart – with good reason, though. Your puppy is more than welcome on the Greenways, though.

Visit the Ozark Greenways for more trail information.

Go Play!: Strap on some skates and lose that winter weight

Brett Johnston — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:27:44 +0000

Entrance to Mediacom Ice Park

Hey, SGF! It’s time to lace up those skates and work off that winter weight at Jordan Valley (Mediacom) Ice Park. Don’t worry about the showoffs at center ice and their fancy little spinny spins. If it makes you feel better, I’ll be holding onto the wall burning calories with each excruciatingly-slow lap. The pricing is incredibly reasonable – cheaper than a movie for about the same amount of time. Expect a full house during weekend sessions.

Open ice schedule for January:
Tuesday: 6:45-8:15 p.m.
Wednesday: 6:45-8:45 p.m.
Friday: 6:45-8:45 p.m.; 9-11 p.m.
Saturday: 1-2:30 p.m.; 2:45-4:15 p.m.; 7-8:30 p.m.; 9-11 p.m.
Sunday: 1-2:30 p.m.; 2:45-4:15 p.m.

Price per session:
Adults: $5.50
Seniors (55 & up): $4
Students (with ID): $4

Saturday afterenoons draw well at the rink.

Children (3-12): $4
Children (2 & under): Free
Skate Rental: $2.50

Skating lessons, hockey leagues and more are available for people of all ages. For more information, visit the Park Board website.

Go Play!: Find the Christmas lights

Brett Johnston — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:42:02 +0000

After a long drive, this was the final house and instantly (almost by pure volume) it became my favorite.

We toured the city, block-by-block, scouring for some Christmas lights. The venture would serve two purposes: 1) Give a couple of babies a change of venue; 2) Provide a sort-of map for everybody else – in case your weekend for a couple free lightless hours. With a sizable journey planned (roughly based on my memory of how my parents entertained me as a child) we hit the streets, but then it was dark. As we drove, block-by-block, we found nothing. The Elfindale light show is gone (it moved to the square and provides a pretty weak showing – though it is still the best display from the city) and the longest run of houses with any sort of decorations was three. And we saw that once! So I am asking, begging (for my son’s sake!), where is the spirit? Did we just miss it? If you know where we can find the most impressive displays, leave a message and let us know!

Surrounded by dark houses, this tree stood out near Oak Grove park.

Still, there are a few around with impressive performances by single houses. Here are a few of key neighborhoods (by direction from intersection). No addresses – you have to find them, that’s the fun. Just don’t be creepy.

Northeast of National and Sunset – There aren’t a whole lot of houses decorated, but this is where you will find the most erratically-strung house – my current favorite.

This house is my second favorite. A lot of work, a lot of structure. Very clean.

Southwest of Oak Grove and Bennett – Another nice job here, probably the best with well-organized lights. I’ve always been a fan of the chaos method.

Northwest of Chestnut and Summit – Though it’s not as bright as past Decembers, there’s still a lot of simple jobs – most houses done in a single color.

Southeast of Republic Road and Fremont – Probably the brightest neighborhood, but not much character. Almost entirely strung in white.

Southeast of West By-Pass and Sunshine – There aren’t a whole lot of houses strung, but those that are had a lot of fun putting them up.

Other notes: St. John’s Hospital is my favorite building, despite how structured the look is; the Roundtree District was the biggest disappointment (Allen get your neighbors in gear!), the house which is annually my favorite isn’t even lit; Seminole and Fremont probably have the most lights, for individual streets, though each is streaky.

Scott wins the best-decorated house from TAG, but there wasn’t much push from his competition. Nice work, pal. You win a trip to your garage for one of those crack-in-a-can sodas. Congrats!