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Neighborhood Blogs

Inside the Grove: Phelps Grove Park remains a Springfield treasure

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By: Madison Mabry

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.  

Neighborhood Blogs

Inside the Grove: Phelps Grove takes pride in community, conservation

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By Madison Mabry

Residents of Phelps Grove take pride in their garden areas throughout the neighborhood.

Located in the heart of Springfield, just a few blocks from Missouri State University’s campus, lies a quaint residential neighborhood known as Phelps Grove. Home to lifelong Springfield citizens and college students alike, the community is filled with neighbors who love to help their neighbors. According to Springfield Neighborhood News, whether it is helping one rebuild a fence, participating in neighborhood cleanups or keeping up with the community garden, Phelps Grove residents find pride in their neighborhood and are always ready to give a helping hand to whoever may need it. 

The Phelps Grove Neighborhood Association website says their mission “is to make our neighborhood a safe, peaceful and enjoyable place to live, a neighborhood of friends working together for the benefit of all residents.” From my experience with people living in the Phelps Grove area and reading stories about their generosity, it is safe to say this neighborhood upholds its mission. 

The Phelps Grove neighborhood is bordered by Grand Street on the North, National Avenue on the east, Bennett and Brookside to the south, and Jefferson Avenue on the west.

This residential area began after the first home was built by William and Irene Johnson in 1914. However, the neighborhood association was not officially established until 1989, according to their website. Since then, a patchwork of Victorian-style homes, cottages and sleek modern houses have filled the streets with character. 

Driving through the Phelps Grove neighborhood, you will find a variety of styles of housing ranging from cottages and victorian style homes to modern and sleek houses.

To support their mission, the Phelps Grove Neighborhood was established as an urban conservation district in 1997. According to the neighborhood’s website, an urban conservation district is “a zoning designation and can be used to replace all or some of zoning restrictions. It can also be used to enact new regulations for an area.” Becoming an urban conservation district has allowed the area to preserve its history and remain a peaceful community. 

Even with the busyness of Grand Street and the consistent sounds of sirens on National Avenue, Phelps Grove remains a quiet area centered around a popular recreational area, Phelps Grove Park. In the spring, summer and fall seasons, you are sure to see college students and individuals from all over Springfield come to enjoy nature and community. 

Although the area is mainly residential, Phelps Grove is home to a few businesses, including Springfield’s Art Museum. This free attraction contains rotating exhibitions for the community throughout the year. Currently, the museum is temporarily closed as it prepares to undergo major renovations. 

It’s All Downtown describes Phelps Grove as a place that “reminds one of a more peaceful and neighborly time gone by,” and I could not agree more. Whether snow blankets the streets and trees or the summer sun casts a golden glow through the branches, the neighborhood offers a quiet escape from the busyness of Springfield. Whether one is looking for a place to call home or just somewhere to spend the day, Phelps Grove is a place to slow down and enjoy the calm of nature.