Springfield-Greene County Park Board Update: June 18, 2018 Tom Watkins Park Improvement ribbon-cutting ceremony The Springfield-Greene County Park Board, in partnership with the City of Springfield, celebrated new improvements to Tom Watkins Park with a progressive ribbon-cutting and Frisbee-tossing ceremony Thursday, June 14, following the Zone 1 Town Hall Meeting with Councilwoman Phyllis Ferguson. Nearly $645,000 of park improvements have been implemented at Tom Watkins Park in the last four months, funded through a combination of a the City of Springfield’s Community Development Block Grant, through the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program; and the City’s Neighborhood Works program. Park improvements included: • New restrooms, adjacent to the park’s pavilion. • New 3,800-square foot interactive playground, including treehouse structure with slides and climbing features, a rotary swing, bench seating and shade structures. • New 7/10-mile (3,604-foot) concrete walking path, looping around the park. • New site lighting and electrical upgrades, including adding power capacity to the pavilion • New 18-hole disc golf course, with new tee pads and goal baskets. The HUD grant is also funding new playgrounds and other amenities at Cooper, Nichols and Meador parks. Neighborhood Works is funding numerous infrastructure improvements in parks. Springfield Lasers pro tennis home season opens July 18 The Springfield Lasers Pro Tennis Team will open their home season at Cooper Tennis Complex Wednesday, July 18, 7 p.m. Season dates continue Thursday, July 19; Friday, July 20 with Jack Sock; Sunday, July 22; Saturday, July 28; Monday, July 30; and Tuesday, July 31. The 2018 roster includes marquee player Jack Sock, one of the top male players in the US, returning to Springfield for the second season straight. Also returning to the team: American Abi Spears, returning after a brief but memorable appearance as a substitute with the Lasers in the 2017 season, and American Vania King, 29, who helped bring the Lasers to the WTT Championship Final in 2013. New to the team are Canadian doubles specialist Daniel Nestor, 45, who has 12 Grand Slam titles; and Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, an up-and-coming 18-year-old who just turned pro last year. All players are internationally ranked professional tennis players who spend the majority of the year on tour. South African coach John-Laffnnie “JL” de Jager returns for his 12th season with the Lasers. City and County employees, and four of their guests, qualify for free admission on opening night, July 18, as the Lasers face the San Diego Aviators. The Springfield Lasers are one of the oldest teams in the World TeamTennis league, and have played at Cooper Tennis Complex since 1996. Wilson’s Creek Greenway named National Recreation Trail Ozark Greenways has added another national recognition to its trail system. The US Department of the Interior has named the Wilson’s Creek Greenway as a National Recreation Trail. The greenway is one of 19 trails receiving the designation this week and the only trail on the new list in Missouri. https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-zinke-announces-19-new-national- recreation-trails-17-states The five-mile trail spans from Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park to Republic Road in southwest Springfield and unincorporated Greene County. Wilson’s Creek Greenway also connects to the six-mile South Creek Greenway, which runs east-west through the middle of Springfield. Wilson’s Creek Greenway is the fourth trail in the Ozark Greenways system to earn the National Recreation Trail designation. Galloway Creek Greenway, in east Springfield, became Missouri’s first National Recreation Trail in 2003. The 35-mile Frisco Highline Trail, connecting Springfield to Bolivar, earned the title in 2004. South Creek Greenway was added to the list in 2006. Accessible Bikes coming to Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park will soon be home to the new accessible bicycles, allowing adults and children with disabilities to experiencing bicycling at the Park and on Wilson’s Creek Greenway. Abilities First presented a $12,000 donation to the Park Board at the board’s regular June 8 meeting. The donation is enough to cover purchase of a Duet bike, a bicycle-wheelchair tandem with electro pedal assist, and a Buddy Bike, a tandem bicycle with steering controlled by the rear rider. Once purchased, these bikes will be available for free check-out to people with disabilities. The Park Board is also working with Abilities First to obtain a secure storage shed to house the bicycles. Upcoming Parks Events Wed. through June 27 Wednesday Noon Concerts at Founders Park, 12 p.m., Parkboard.org/Founders Sat. through July 21 Discover Nature Fishing Camp, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park Sat. through July 28 Run for Fun Club, Saturdays, 10 a.m. at Westport School-Park Weekends through July 28 Movies at Founders Park, free movies under the stars. Friday: Family Night, Saturday Date Night, movies start at dusk. Schedule at ParkBoard.org/Movies Thurs., June 21 Go Skateboarding Day, free admission to Springfield Skate Park, 3-9 p.m. Sat., June 23 Butterfly Festival, Springfield Botanical Gardens, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., June 23 Daylily Display and sale, Springfield Botanical Gardens, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., June 23 Summer Snowfest at Jordan Valley Park, free fun in the snow, 12-4 p.m. Sat., June 23 Sounds of Summer Concert Series at Springfield Botanical Gardens, Izabel Crane,7:30 p.m. Sat., June 23 Sounds of Summer Concert Series at Springfield Botanical Gardens, Bill Haymes, 2 p.m. Wed., July 4 Red, White and Zoo at Dickerson Park Zoo, free admission for active military and veterans with ID) and their immediate family. Fri., July 6 Racquet, White and Blue free tennis event at Tom Watkins Park, 6-8 p.m. Sat., July 7 Missouri USA Softball Adult Slow Pitch State Invitational, Meador Park Tues., July 10 Teddy Bear Picnic at Springfield Botanical Gardens, 6-8 p.m. Wed., July 18 Springfield Lasers home match at Cooper Tennis Complex, 7 p.m. Thurs., July 19 Springfield Lasers home match at Cooper Tennis Complex, 7 p.m. Fri., July 20 Springfield Lasers with Jack Sock home match, Cooper Tennis Complex, 7 p.m. Sun., July 22 Springfield Lasers home match at Cooper Tennis Complex, 6 p.m. Sat., July 28 Springfield Lasers home match at Cooper Tennis Complex, 7 p.m. Mon., July 30 Springfield Lasers home match at Cooper Tennis Complex, 7 p.m. Tues., July 31 Springfield Lasers home match at Cooper Tennis Complex, 7 p.m. Sat., Aug. 4 15th Annual Kid’Athlon at Meador Park Tues., Aug. 7 National Night Out at Nichols Park, 5-8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 18 Concert at the Cave, Doling Park, Noon- 6 p.m. Sat, Aug. 25 Back to School Movie “School of Rock” at Founders Park, live music at 7 p.m., movie at dusk. A complete list of Park Board events is at ParkBoard.org/Events. .