Groundbreaking held for renovation project at Silver Springs Park

Stakeholders of the north-side Silver Springs Park held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for a construction project.

The project calls for the renovation of the historic park's pavilion and the addition of an amphitheater, according to a news release. The Neighborhood Coalition Group was allocated $1.5 million for the project in 2022 through Greene County's American Rescue Plan Act funds.

“This park has been such an important part of the north side of Springfield for over 100 years and has a very important history," said H. Wes Pratt, one of the members of the Neighborhood Coalition, in the release. "We are very excited to see this important improvement get underway for Silver Springs."

Nesbitt Construction Inc. is serving as general contractor for the project designed by Oke-Thomas and Associates Inc. The project is expected to wrap in early summer 2025.

At 1100 N. Hampton Ave., Silver Springs Park was established in 1918 on land known as the old Fairbanks pasture and later gained its name from an on-site spring, according to the Springfield-Greene County Park Board's website. Silver Springs was the only public park designated for Black residents and accompanying sports leagues during segregation, and it's home to Timmons Hall and part of the African-American Heritage Trail.