Nestled in the heart of Galloway Village, Sequiota Park is a cherished 28-acre retreat in Springfield, Missouri, offering a blend of natural beauty, rich history, and recreational opportunities.
Sequiota Park’s history dates back to the early 1900s when it was a popular day-trip destination accessible via the Frisco Railway. In 1920, the State of Missouri purchased the property to establish a trout hatchery, making it the smallest state park in Missouri. The hatchery operations ceased in 1959, and the city acquired the land, transforming it into the beloved park it is today.
The park’s centerpiece is the iconic Sequiota Cave, a limestone cavern that once served as a boat-accessible attraction. Today, the cave is home to a migrating colony of gray bats, an endangered species, and is closed to the public to protect these creatures. However, guided boat tours are occasionally offered to provide a glimpse into this unique ecosystem.
Sequiota Park caters to a variety of interests with its array of amenities: ● Playgrounds: Two play areas, including one designed for younger children, featuring boulders and equipment in vibrant purple hues. ● Picnic Areas: Covered pavilions and open grassy spaces equipped with grills and tables.
● Trails: Paved and unpaved paths, including access to the Galloway Creek Greenway Trail, ideal for walking, running, or biking. ● Lake: A tranquil pond perfect for observing local wildlife or enjoying a peaceful moment. ● Restrooms and Drinking Fountains: Convenient facilities for visitors’ comfort.
Sequiota Park remains one of Springfield’s most popular parks, offering a serene escape with its blend of natural beauty and recreational amenities. Whether you’re exploring the trails, enjoying a family picnic, or simply relaxing by the lake, Sequiota Park provides a perfect setting to connect with nature and create lasting memories.
For more information and to plan your visit, check out the official Sequiota Park page.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—Americans are exposed to the concept of the American dream from a young age. This national idea is often understood as the state of an individual being able to advance their place in society to become economically successful and live a comfortable life. An integral aspect of this is owning a house.
“Within each of us as Americans is the desire to own our own property because that is how our fathers did it and how his fathers did it,” Springfield realtor Steve Burks, who has worked in the housing industry for 30 years, said. “Back to the beginning of our country owning your own piece of property was everything there was. People want a place to call their own.”
Though this dream persists, the ability for a person to buy a house has become increasingly less in the 21st century. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis, home ownership rates have decreased since their peak in 2002 with 74.8% of citizens owning a home. Now in 2024 that percentage is 70.5%, which is an improvement from 2023’s 68%.
Burks said that this is due to financial reasons as many people cannot afford the rising home prices and interest rates that come with them. “Back in the 90s and 2000s it was somewhat affordable. You could take your income and take it two or three times your income was what you could afford [to buy],” Burks said. “Now to get into something based upon your income it’s seven to nine times more.”
Burks said that this increase in cost is due to multiple factors, including low supply and high demand of homes, leading to 50% of an average person’s income having to go to mortgage payments as opposed to 30% in previous decades. This leaves many people with no option but to rent property.
Though many neighborhoods, including Rountree, have higher house ownership than rental rates, the rental rates are still very high. According to city health indicators, Rountree has a rental rate of 42%, nearly half of the homes in the neighborhood. Burks said that this is due to the convenience of the midtown location for young people as well as affordable rates.
Though renting is not often viewed as the ideal option, it often the only route people can take, especially if they are younger. According to City Data, most of Rountree’s population is made up of people between the ages of 20-25, which includes many college students from surrounding universities like Missouri State University. These students often rent while attending school and the Rountree neighborhood is an ideal location because of its proximity to the campus.
Lainey Pierson is a junior at Missouri State University and lives on Pickwick Avenue. Her grandparents bought the house she lives in in the 1990s and offered it to many members of her family, including Pierson and her older sister. Because of this they do not have to pay rent, which Pierson said is a blessing. However, Pierson said that the area itself was another draw to the house, not just the familial ties.
“I don’t drive to campus because I’m so close. I usually just ride my bike there, which is really nice. There are other streets nearby where a lot of the houses are rented to college students that go to Missouri State so it’s a popular area for college students to look at,” she said.
Though Burks and many other experts don’t anticipate the rates reversing any time soon, the people in rental properties still find joy and contentment where they are . Many, however, still hope to one day achieve the dream of owning their own house, something that current and future generations will have to work harder to achieve.
The Springfield Art Museum has been attracting visitors to Phelps Grove since 1958.
Arguably one of the most well-known businesses in the Phelps Grove neighborhood is the Springfield Art Museum. For almost a century, the museum has served as a place for people in Springfield to not only view art done by other artists, but to participate and learn how to create themselves.
As it approaches its 100th anniversary, the Springfield Art Museum has officially entered the construction phase of a long-awaited renovation and expansion project to reshape the facility and its surrounding grounds.
Originally approved in 2018, the Museum’s comprehensive site plan was designed to reimagine the institution as a modern civic and cultural hub, according to the original Request for Qualification from the museum.
Renovation construction began at the Springfield Art Museum in February 2025.
Now, that vision is beginning to take physical shape. A ceremonial groundbreaking that was held on February 28 marked the beginning of Phase 1.
“Since 1928, the Springfield Art Museum has long been a cornerstone of cultural heritage,” Nelson said in a press release. “Through this expansion, we are building a future that preserves our legacy while propelling Springfield to the forefront of cultural and creative tourism.”
The project includes a new west-facing entrance, a redesigned lobby and visitor lounge, a two-story education wing and improved connections to Phelps Grove Park and the city’s greenway trail system. According to the museum website, the new Family Learning Center will include flexible classroom spaces and hands-on art activities for all ages, aimed at expanding educational access and programming.
The museum’s updated lobby will also offer a second-floor overlook with views of the surrounding grounds. Inside, improvements will enhance gallery flow, accessibility and event space. This will ultimately allow the Museum to host gatherings of up to 300 people.
While the main building is closed for construction, the art museum has continued hosting classes and pop-up events throughout Springfield.
During construction, the museum has not closed its doors to the community. Educational programs and exhibitions have continued through partnerships with local organizations and pop-up events.
Construction is expected to continue through 2027, with the Museum’s 100th anniversary celebration set for 2028. Until then, officials say the Museum will remain active through off-site events, ongoing educational programs and continued community partnerships.
Firehouse Pottery, nestled in Springfield’s historic Galloway Village, has been a cornerstone of the local art scene since its establishment in 1996. Celebrating its 28th year, the studio offers a welcoming environment for artists of all ages and skill levels.
Housed in a charming, historic building, Firehouse Pottery provides a spacious studio that accommodates over 70 guests without the need for reservations. Visitors can choose from a vast selection of pottery pieces—including mugs, vases, plates, and figurines—and utilize an extensive palette of over 150 glaze colors. The studio is equipped with various tools and techniques to assist in creating unique, personalized designs.
One of Firehouse Pottery’s standout features is its inclusive pricing model. There are no studio fees; guests only pay for the pottery piece they select, with prices starting as low as $10. This approach ensures that art is accessible to everyone, making it an ideal destination for individuals, families, and groups. Pottery addict Addison Keck says this is what makes Firehouse Pottery her go-to place when she has free time. “I love the atmosphere and the pottery, but the pricing allows me to come in here more often,” Keck said.
The studio operates with flexible hours to accommodate various schedules:
Tuesday & Thursday:
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Friday & Saturday:
12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sunday:
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The studio is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Beyond individual visits, Firehouse Pottery actively engages with the community by offering various events and group activities. They provide Pottery-To-Go packages, making it convenient for groups to enjoy pottery painting at their own pace. Whether it’s a children’s party, a corporate event, or a casual gathering with friends, the studio caters to diverse group sizes and occasions.
Over the years, Firehouse Pottery has become more than just a studio; it’s a place where memories are made, and creativity flourishes. Visitors consistently praise the friendly and helpful staff, the extensive selection of pottery, and the enjoyable atmosphere. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a first-time painter, Firehouse Pottery offers a unique and fulfilling experience that celebrates the joy of artistic expression. Former Galloway resident Blake McKnight said that he and his wife have always loved the outlet that Firehouse Pottery provides for them. “It has given us this avenue to express ourselves, while enjoying the process. It also works for a good date night!” McKnight said.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Dating back to the 1940s, the gardens at Phelps Grove Park used to be the kind of place where people stopped to smell the roses—literally. Over the years, though, time took its toll. Bricks cracked, weeds took over and the rose beds that once attracted weddings and weekend strolls became overrun with Bermuda grass. Citizens of the Phelps Grove Neighborhood Association remembered what it used to be, and in the beginning of 2024, they decided it was time to bring it back to life.
Whether it’s an organized work day or free afternoon, volunteers come to work in the garden anytime they are available.
The revitalization process started quietly with just a few neighbors sharing a vision. Vicky Trippe, who has lived in the neighborhood for decades, remembers watching the garden fall into disrepair and thinking, “We need to make these beautiful again.”
With that spark, conversations turned into action. A $1,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and later a $3,000 grant from the Hatch Foundation became the seed money for something much bigger. Soon, a small but committed crew began showing up week after week to reclaim the space, and they have not stopped since.
Although the idea to renovate began based on the appearance of the gardens, the motivation goes far beyond aesthetics. “The birds and the butterflies and the insects are dying, and we wanted this to be a space that we could use the sun to provide a place to try to keep those pollinators,” Trippe said.
Every plant and flower planted in the garden at Phelps Grove are native to Missouri.
The Phelps Grove garden restoration has a goal of improving these statistics and providing a place for pollinators to survive.
“Most of our yards have too many trees to grow the plants that need six hours of sun a day, or host plants and food plants for the pollinators,” Trippe said. The gardens, on the other hand, are full of sunshine. Trippe and her team are planting milkweed for monarch caterpillars, parsley for swallowtails and a variety of blooms that will keep pollinators fed from early spring to late fall. “Last year we had Monarch caterpillars over here on the milkweed, and there will be more,” Trippe said.
The restoration is a patchwork of community effort. The Missouri State University Horticulture Club provided plants and support for two of the raised beds. Neighbors have donated benches, trellises, flowers and several other items. One neighbor offered his landscaping equipment to haul out rocks and stumps when he saw the team struggling. Fran Giglio, who lives across from the gardens, gifted a pavillion, an irrigation system, a wheel chair accessible sidewalk, benches, and has made several other contributions while also volunteering in the garden. “[The garden] is proof that it does take a village,” Trippe said.
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board partnered with the neighborhood team to help with the renovations. “The parks department, we lean on them for bringing supplies like mulch or playing ideas off of them for what we want to do,” Connie Ryan, a volunteer in the garden who became a parks department employee after the garden renovation work began, said. “They play an important role in helping move things forward.”
Vicky Trippe organizes planting days and leads the group in the renovation process.
After about a year of renovating, a core group of five people continue to lead the effort, showing up between work schedules and weather changes. One of these individuals, Andy Massoth, is not from the Phelps Grove neighborhood, but was visiting the park when he heard about the renovation. “I saw these ladies working over here last April, and decided to go up and see if they wanted some help,” Massoth said. “I think it’s a really great thing they’re doing, because the members of the community and neighbors that stop by, they’re very appreciative of it, and they always thank us for it.”
Although not a Phelps Grove resident, Andy Massoth has been volunteering in the gardens since last April when he found about about the restoration plans.
The group spent much of the winter trimming bushes, laying pathways, restoring brickwork and doing what they could to prepare for the planting they are doing now.
Trippe said the group started out thinking they could manage to restore three beds. They have already done eleven and they are not finished yet.
The impact of the restoration has been easy to see for the volunteers. “Since we started this project, just the little things that we did, we have started seeing people come from the west side, in the more tree part of the park, come over here and they’re curious about what we’re doing,” Ryan said.
In addition, although many of the plants and flowers have not bloomed yet, the garden is already seeing life brought back to it. “We weren’t seeing very many earthworms, and now we’re starting to see more earthworms, which means, of course, we’re seeing more robins,” Ryan said. “It’s exciting to see that the soil is kind of coming to life.”
A few of the plants in the garden have already begun bringing pollinators to the garden this spring.
To both volunteers and those visiting the Phelps Grove park, the garden has been an encouragement. “It’s going to be beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I’m thrilled,” Pat Monday, a volunteer said. “I don’t plant a lot of natives [at home], but this has inspired me to plant natives.”
What keeps the group going, though, is not just the transformation of the space but the impact it could have beyond the park. “There’s so much that’s outside of my control, but we can control this,” Trippe said. “When there’s so much negative, this is something you can do that’s positive and that can work toward life surviving on this planet.”
Ryan agreed. “We can’t control anything, really, but we can make an impact in our own little community when it comes to caring for the earth.”
Helen Reddy’s famous 70’s hit “I am Woman” seems appropriate this week, as does the Jewish greeting “Shalom” as tomorrow the downtown area will be celebrating Women’s Day as well as the Jewish holiday Passover.
Let’s get started with the Women’s Day events this weekend. The Downtown area will be highlighting businesses owned and run by women here in Springfield. For a complete list and what they’ll be doing to celebrate visit the link https://www.itsalldowntown.com/womensday/
Another thing that will be happening this weekend regarding Women’s Day festivities is the GYN Cancer Alliance’s (GYNCA) thirteenth annual GoGirlRun. A two-day running/walking event benefitting gynecological cancer research here in the Ozarks. Women can choose either a half marathon or 5K race. There will also be a race for girls called the Little Miss full or half mile. There’s also a virtual option as well. For more information go to https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/Springfield/GoGirlRunSpringfield
Another important event coming up this week is the celebration of the Jewish holiday Passover, which commemorates the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. While Passover is a Jewish holiday, it also kicks off the Easter season. Easter is next Sunday. If you’re looking for a church event to go to in the Downtown area, Hammons Field and the Springfield Cardinals will be hosting a sunrise service at the ballpark on Easter morning from 6:20 AM to 7:20 AM. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Communities often have those specific places which have become more than just businesses; they have become a part of their daily routine. These places offer community within the greater neighborhood and often use their position to make their area a better place. For the Rountree neighborhood, one such establishment is the café Cherry Picker Package + Fare located on the corner of Pickwick Ave. and Cherry St.
The cafe is in a prominent location in the Cherry and Pickwick area, complete with outdoor seating.
“You get to know a lot of the regulars and people that live in the neighborhood and there’s a lot of nice people around here. We have a ton of people who come here regularly after work to decompress,” employee Crystallena Price said.
The café is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. They serve a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items including salads and sandwiches. They also serve specialty coffee as well as alcoholic beverages to customers who are of age.
Their coffee menu includes a seasonal selection, with current ones including the black walnut maple latte and the salted caramel latte. The black walnut maple latte was a delicious blend that balanced the sweetness of maple with the strong black walnut flavor without being too overpowering.
Though their menu includes many options for customers to choose from, it is the environment they offer that keeps people coming back. Customer Elise Randolph chose the outdoor patio of the café to spend a quiet hour working while sipping on an iced coffee. She said that it was a good place to work with friendly owners who engaged with the greater Rountree community.
Pouring into their community is something that Cherry Picker Package + Fare prioritizes in their everyday activities as they interact with regulars and promote and plan events.
“We’re always doing little donations for fun stuff to promote the neighborhood, like gift cards and things like that. I feel like it’s a staple. Even though our owners don’t live in this neighborhood they are still just neighbors of a sort. They know everyone here,” Price said.
The regulars of the café are the ones who make work so enjoyable for Price, especially the dogs who come in with their owners. One such furry customer is a dog named Booker who visits Cherry Picker Package + Fare on his daily route.
“Before we were open on Sundays our manager would be here doing prep work and [Booker] would still try to come by the door because he knows this is his little special place to get his treat,” she said.
Cherry Picker Package + Fare is a Rountree neighborhood staple, tucked away in its own little nook in the middle of Springfield. It is a place that people from within and outside the community can enjoy for the atmosphere they offer, the food and drinks they create and the kindness and welcoming smile the employees give to all who come through the door.
It was a busy weekend this past week for the Downtown Area as it was not only St. Patrick’s Day on Monday, but it’s also Spring Break!
Finnegans Wake kicked off the St. Patty’s Day festivities with their Fifteenth Annual “Drunken Bruncheon’ which was held from Saturday March 15th to Monday March 17th. It featured all kinds of Irish fare including Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Coffee, and of course green beer.
Another hot item on the Downtown agenda, was their own version of March Madness. With the tipoff of the annual college basketball tournament getting under way, the downtown area held it’s “March Chowdown” which put all the Downtown eateries top dishes against each other to see who is the best. The Final Four contestants are Mama G’s Mac and Cheese, Flame’s Lobster Mac and Cheese, Nonna’s Seafood Pasta, and Bambino’s Bambino pasta dish. There was also a drink category as well. For more information you can visit https://www.itsalldowntown.com/marchchowdown/
Of course, no St. Paddy’s Day is complete without the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It was held on Saturday, March 15th. There was a great turnout. Live music, beer gardens, food trucks. Photos and videos are available on the Downtown’s Facebook page. The famous Shrine circus was in town as well at the Abu Ben Adhem Shrine Temple. There was a good turnout each night. There’s always something happening in the Downtown area.
No matter what you’re looking for, like the website says, “It’s all downtown”
In the center of Phelps Grove lies an area where families come together for afternoon fun, students come to study and others come to enjoy peace in nature. Phelps Grove Park is what brings individuals from all over Springfield to the area.
Phelps Grove Park serves as a place for people to enjoy nature during all four seasons of the year.
This park is where it all began for the neighborhood of Phelps Grove. An article from the Springfield Newsleader shares that the Springfield Park Commission acquired the land in 1914. The land was previously farmed by John and Mary Phelps, one of Springfield’s founding families according to Visit Springfield. By the time the Park Commission became owners of it, the land had been partially developed with paved drives, rustic stone bridges and artistic entryways, some of which remain today.
The area contained numerous flowering shrubs and bushes all surrounding a spring stream. In 1914, according to the Springfield Newsleader, the Park Commission spent $5,000 to clear out walkways, add seating and benches throughout the park, install drinking fountains and build a pavilion to protect visitors from the rain.
The historic pavilion, originally built in 1916, remains a central part of Phelps Grove Park.
At the time of construction, Phelps Grove Park was to be an area of nature, not amusement. There were to be “no merry-go-rounds, shoot the shoots, paid amusements, nor any pop and peanut stand,” according to the Springfield Newsleader. “Phelps Grove Park is to be an ornament, a thing of beauty, a restful breathing place, noted for its trees, its flowers, and its beauty.”
While the park has further developed and now contains a playground and more amusement-type options for visitors, the area remains a place of nature where one can escape the busyness of Springfield and enjoy the trees and hear the birds sing.
Over the years, Phelps Grove Park has hosted various events ranging from church services and family picnics to rock concerts. At the beginning, a shuttle bus was used to transport people to and from Springfield as the park was located just outside of the original city limits and people wanted to visit it according to the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.
The pavilion at Phelps Grove Park has hosted various events over the years ranging from church dinners to family reunions.
Phelps Grove Park was also home to the first zoo in the area. The zoo included buffalo, deer and alligators. Outlines of the former zoo enclosures are found today in the grass northwest of the historic pavilion. In 1923, the zoo moved to the present location of Dickerson Park Zoo.
Today, Phelps Grove Park attracts individuals in the Springfield area with added amenities. Throughout the park, one can find a baseball and softball diamond, drinking fountains, gardens, grills for afternoon barbeques, horseshoes for family entertainment, park benches, parking, a physical fitness course, playground, restrooms, tennis courts, and a 7/10 mile walking trail.
Although the park is now surrounded by streets, the area filled with history has always and will continue to bring people together and allow them to enjoy their time spent in nature.
SPRINGFIELD, MO—Students at Rountree Elementary School have joined the fight to end hunger across the city of Springfield by participating in a citywide food drive put on by the Ozark Food Harvest.
“It’s super important to give back to our community and it’s a good lesson to teach the kids,” Rountree’s school counselor Rachel Swadley said. “We talk about how their donations can really help families who don’t have access to nutritious foods.”
Ozark Food Harvest’s Food Fight is a citywide fundraiser to gather nonperishable food items from schools, churches and other participating organizations. According to their website, the food will go to school and community food pantries that the bank supports to address the needs of those who may not have enough to eat. This includes pantries located in public schools across Southwest Missouri.
“Initiatives like the Weekend Backpack Program, After-School Food & Summer Food programs also help feed at-risk kids over the weekends, after school hours and during the summertime, when children do not have access to free or reduced meal programs at school,” the website said.
The food drive at Rountree Elementary began on March 3 and ended March 13. The school asked students to bring foods like canned meat, fruits, and vegetables, peanut butter, rice, pasta and cereal, according to the school’s website.
“We set up a box for each class in the main hallway and we promote it for two weeks by encouraging kids to bring in nonperishable food items and we have a party for the class that brings in the most food items,” Swadley said.
The children took the challenge to raise food and added their own personal flairs by hand picking foods they liked so that other kids could enjoy them too.
“Some of them brough in box cake mix and birthday candles because they [think] there are families that probably can’t afford a cake for their child, so now they can have one because [they] brought a box in,” Swadley said.
The Ozark Food Harvest partnering with Rountree Elementary is just one example of how people in Springfield are working to address the high poverty rate citywide.
A housing state of calamity was reinstated in February in response to Springfield’s poverty rate being 19.4%, significantly higher than the state average of 12% according to senior city planner Bob Atchley at a recent city council meeting.
This statistic includes children, which is something Swadley has been able to address through the Food Fight by providing food for kids in need and by giving those kids the opportunity to join their classmates in donating food even if their family couldn’t afford it.
“We are able to seek out students who we didn’t realize were going through [food insecurity] and get them the help they need,” Swadley said. “I know of some teachers who have gone out and bought food for a specific kid in their class who wants to participate but can’t necessarily contribute with the stuff they have at home.”
While city council members hope to take meaningful action against poverty by focusing on the housing crisis, organizations like Ozark Food Harvest will continue to serve the community with food and clothing, and Rountree Elementary will remain on the forefront of the fight.
Evangel Reporting & Storytelling 