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The History of Phelps Grove Park

http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/thehistory_4069.mp3

Phelps Grove Park in Springfield is rich in history and area residents hope to keep it beautiful and vital for years to come. The park is located just south of the Missouri State University campus bordered primarily by residential streets like Catalpa, Clay and Brookside. As a part of KSMU’s ongoing series A Sense of Place, KSMU’s Missy Shelton looks at efforts to re-vitalize the park…we’ll have more on that this afternoon. This morning, we take a look at the park’s history.

“I’m here in Phelps Grove Park. While today the park welcomes area residents, the land was once home to Native American tribes…and later it was home to Missouri Governor John S. Phelps. And of course, it is for Phelps that the park is named. There’s quite a bit of history related to how this land transitioned from a homestead to a park.”

Richard Crabtree is president of the University Heights Neighborhood Association. He’s chronicled much of the history of Phelps Grove Park. He says the original developers, Heer and Landers hoped to make a good deal of money turning Phelps Grove into an upscale neighborhood. They brought in well known landscape architects. First, they contacted George Kessler who designed Forest Park in St Louis. He created a plan for Phelps Grove but eventually, he handed the project off to another prestigious firm: Hare and Hare, the architects behind Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza. Crabtree says in 1914, there was interest in having the city acquire Phelps Grove Park.

And it was around this time that a lake was installed in the park. Crabtree says many people don’t realize the park once had a lake. He says the outline is still evident today.

The WPA built the amphitheatre in 1936.In addition to a lake, Crabtree says the park once had a zoo.

The zoo mainly contained animals that were native to Missouri: animals like wolves, bobcats and bears. The zoo was eventually moved when residents complained about the noise and odor coming from the animals. Probably the most recognizable landmarks in Phelps Grove Park today is the pavilion. Crabtree says it has nothing to do with the zoo.

Given the park’s history and its popularity over the years, residents who live near the park are working on a plan to restore some features of the park. We’ll have more on that effort this afternoon during All Things Considered.

The University Heights Neighborhood Association's history on Phelps Grove Park (including photos and documents).