Founders Park a community, business effort

Carson-Mitchell Inc., the general contractor for the park, is donating its services to the project, and Conco Companies has donated its services as well, Walker said.

Walker added that JM Specialty Sales provided specialty items for construction and site preparation, and E. A. Martin Machinery donated heavy equipment to use in the creation of the park.

"On the original site preparation, 12 companies, three labor unions and the city and county trucks on the Saturday of a weekend were used to do the site preparation and that was all donated," Walker said.

"If everyone would step up to the plate like the construction industry and the unions, we could really move along at a great clip, because we've had outstanding support from the construction industry," she added.

Walker said Founders Park, a project which began in March 1992, is located on a piece of historically significant land on the southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Water Street.

"It's one of the original 50 acres that John Polk Campbell donated to make Springfield the county seat of Greene County," she said.

She said when the land became available, interested community members decided they wanted a park that would celebrate the city's birth. She said the park, which is designed to do just that, is well on its way to completion.

"We have got the base established for the construction of the fountain. The concrete base for the historic timeline has already been poured, the amphitheater is already under construction ...we have the initial layout of the wetland garden area, we have the prairie garden started, and the historic mural painting is currently under way," Walker said.She said Founders Park will be an important part of the overall revitalization of the center city area Founders Park will be within the boundaries of Jordan Valley Park.

"It will be another venue attraction. If someone just wants to wander through the park and enjoy it, that's possible ... we will be an outdoor classroom for the Discovery Center, which is already doing a great job of bringing people downtown, but they don't really have an outdoor classroom area," she said.

She said it might also be a good lunch spot for people who work downtown, who could buy their lunch at a downtown restaurant and take it to the park.

The amphitheater, which will seat about 250 people and include room to set up as many as 200 additional folding chairs, will be available for the community to use during daytime or evening hours.

"We would love to see street performers, we would love to see Little Theatre, when they're putting on a new production, get some of their actors to come down on the noon hour," Walker said.

"I've already talked to the people doing the Blues Fest, and suggested they consider the Founders Park stage and amphitheater for the Gospel Blues next year, rather than having that up on the square," she said.

Walker said she hopes the park will be finished by the end of 2001, but she said that depends on the success of fund-raising efforts. More than $600,000 has been raised, but between $400,000 and $500,000 is still needed.

Walker said more money for the project will be raised through presentations to groups, individuals and companies, as well as the sale of engraved granite bricks that will be used in the park's construction.

Volunteers to do the work are needed, as well, Walker said. More than 500 people have donated their time to help out at Founders Park so far.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering or making donations for the park project may contact Walker at 866-0134.