Explore the Watershed: Silver Springs

Silver Springs Park in Springfield, MO has the Jordan Creek running through the middle of it and is rich in local history!

Photo from Silver Springs Park and Pool Facebook Page

History of the Park

Silver Springs was established in 1918 and was the only public park in Springfield open to black residents during segregation. The park land was originally owned by Jonathan Fairbanks. Fairbanks was the Springfield school superintendent and a local ally to black residents, known for opening his home to shelter black people during lynchings on the square.

Park Day Reunion

The Park Day Reunion originally started in 1952. Park Days included a day of games and sports events for young African-American residents as well as a parade, beauty pageant, concerts, and picnic. Park Day recently had a special celebration in 2022 after being cancelled the 2 years prior due to COVID. The event was highlighted by local news and drew participants from across the nation.

Photo from the African-American Heritage Trail

JRBP Jordan Creek “The Last Straw” Clean-Up 2018

Silver Springs Today

Today, the park is still a popular place for Springfield residents, whether they’re enjoying the pool, basketball and tennis courts, playground, or picnic pavilion. JRBP monitors the water quality of Jordan Creek, and various stream cleanups are organized throughout the year. Silver Springs Park is now home to Timmons Temple, which was once an African American church in town.

Sources:
African American Heritage Trail
"Park Day Reunion returns to Springfield after a two-year break” by KY3
"Silver Springs Park” by Springfield Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau
"Silver Springs Park” by African American Heritage Trail
"Timmons Hall” by Springfield-Greene County Park Board

Explore the Watershed: Y-Bridge

The Y-Bridge is located in Galena, Missouri and stands over the James River. The bridge was built in the 1930s as the emergence of the Missouri State Highway Department pushed for better transportation systems.

Y-Bridge History

The Y-Bridge is one of the 40 concrete bridges built by the Missouri State Highway Department in the first half of the 20th century. It is proclaimed to be one of three Y-shaped bridges in the world. The bridge opened in 1927 and still stands today.

Vintage postcard of the Y-Bridge from My Genealogy Hound

Photo from Ozarks Alive, courtesy of the Springfield News Leader

Early Development

The area around Galena was a popular tourist attraction due to the natural landmarks. The James River in Galena was just as popular then as it is now for its peaceful and beautiful scenery when floating. Harold Bell Wright’s famous novel “Shepard of the Hills” also attracted people to this area. The Y-Bridge helped locals and tourists reach their destinations.

Photo from bridgehunter.com

The Y-Bridge Today

Today, the float from the H.L. Kerr access to the Ralph Cox access point is still one of the most scenic floats along the James. Besides the historic bridge, there are gorgeous natural rock features as well as great fishing opportunities year-round. It’s a great place to enjoy some local history and scenic Ozark views.

Sources:
”Galena's Y Bridge a unique piece of local history” by Ozarks Alive
”The Unique Y-Bridge in Galena is the Only One of its Kind in Missouri” by Only In Your State

Explore the Watershed: Sequiota Park

Sequiota Park is a popular park located in Springfield, MO. “Sequiota” is said to be a Native American word meaning “many springs.” The main features of the 13-acre park are the caves and spring. The park also includes a playground, pavilion, pond, a large rock formation, as well as access to the Greenway Trail. Prior to 1830 Native American tribes inhabited the area including the Osage, Kickapoo, Cherokee, Sauk, and Meskwaki.

Sequiota Park History

The first time that Sequiota was mentioned was in 1894 to encourage locals to enjoy a picnic at “Fisher’s Cave” as it was known as at that time. It closed to the general public in 1909 and remained closed until 1913 when H.E. Peterson purchased the property for $10,000. Peterson worked to improve the area by creating a 6.5 mile paved road for easier access, as well as adding other features of the park. These repairs were such a success that the Frisco Railway agreed to improve its Chadwick line so that it would accommodate a line going to the park. In 1920, Peterson sold the park to the state of Missouri for $23,00 where it operated as a hatchery until 1959, when they decided to move the hatchery near the newly created Table Rock Lake. It was then sold to the Springfield-Greene County Park Board for $2,000.

“Girls Swimming at a Party” Photo from the Springfield News Leader

Sequiota Park Natural Features

Sequiota park features two caves, a natural spring, and the Sequiota Spring branch which comes out of the cave and flows into Galloway Creek. Around the park there are multiple rock outcroppings as well as the iconic large rock formation that serves as a fun attraction for children and adults alike.

Sequiota spring and caves

Sequiota Park Wildlife

While the Sequiota Caves were once open to the public, the Missouri Department of Conservation has closed both caves due to the spread of White-Nose Syndrome, a lethal fungus that these bats are susceptible to. Since closing, the bat populations within the cave has improved. Tri-colored bats are one of the smallest bats native to North America and are listed as an endangered species.

Tri-colored bats in Sequiota Cave by Springfield News Leader

Sources:
”Sequiota Park a longtime Ozarks favorite” article by Springfield News-Leader
”Bat population spikes in Sequiota Cave, researchers find” article by Springfield News-Leader
”Sequiota Park” entry by The Historical Marker Database
”Sequiota Park” entry by the Springfield Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau

My AmeriCorps Experience

            During my time as an AmeriCorps VISTA member for the James River Basin Partnership I gained experience working with non-profit organizations, building partnerships, organizing events, and so much more. This position has been extremely enriching not only for my professional development, but it has also expanded my interest in conservation work as a whole.

            One of the most valuable experiences that I’ve had during my service is meeting and working with so many established professionals, many of whom could be potential employers one day. It has provided me with a “foot in the door” to agencies like the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, Missouri Department of Conservation, and the City of Springfield. I have had the opportunity to work directly with department heads to complete projects, which was a good way to get to know them and them get to know me.

            I have been able to gain a lot of hands-on field experience with water quality monitoring, including chemical sampling and macroinvertebrate monitoring, as well as interpreting the data and submitting it on to state agencies. Another skill I learned was how to collect soil samples for soil tests and meet with homeowners. Converting scientific information into digestible material for the public is a powerful asset that I have been able to expand with this position.

            Another skill I have learned through this position is grant writing. I have researched, applied for, and received several grants for the James River Basin Partnership. This is a great skill to have that any non-profit organization will look for in the hiring process.

            In the last year, I visited several classrooms and helped teach lessons on water quality to students ranging from 2nd grade to college level. This gave me a lot of perspective on classroom management as well as how to mold material to the level of understanding of each individual student.

            My favorite part of my service is how much independent development I had. It pushed me out of my comfort zone to reach out to organizations, individuals, and department heads to work with them on a project or even ask for their financial support. I gained a lot of public speaking experience - which no one can ever have enough of! There have been so many opportunities through my service that I never would have had otherwise. I never felt pressured to “prove” myself like in many past entry level positions. During my service year, I was always in a very encouraging environment where everyone wanted me to succeed, gain experiences that would benefit me, and prepare me for my future.

Allison Osredker