Parks board breaks ground for ‘farmstead’ park

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board Thursday held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Rutledge-Wilson Park, 3825 W. Farm Road 146. The focus of the 207-acre development of the farmstead area will be on its existing farmhouse and barn – and all the agricultural activities that go with it.

The park is slated to open next spring and will be funded by the ¼-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2001. A similar referendum for future park projects will be on the ballot on Tuesday.

The first phase of the development, estimated to cost about $2 million, will be the construction of a new barn to house farm animals. Farm equipment from the early 20th century will be on display, and existing hay fields will be used to demonstrate crop fields, orchards and garden areas.

The two-story house, which in the early 1900s was the home of the Walnut Grove Farm Dairy, will be the centerpiece. Its lower level will be restored and will house special activities, such as summertime food canning.

Wilson’s Creek runs through the park, and a farm pond will be created, along with at least 20 acres of native prairie, a family area with a streambed and a themed playground.

One mile of linear park trail intersects the park and will connect to downtown’s Jordan Valley Park and to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. A trailhead access is planned for the northeast part of the park for playfields and a pavilion picnic area.

Later phases of the plan call for adding a barn structure for special events and scheduling monthly and annual programs, such as a walking club for kids and a HarvestFest.