Heartwarming Sites of Nathanael Greene/ Close Memorial Park
There is a tonne going on in Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, as anyone who has been there at any point in the past ten years will attest. The names given to each of the park’s features reflect this variation, and also contribute to narrating the park’s history. The entirety of Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park is covered in this article.
History of Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
1975 marks the beginning of the narrative, as the nation was in the throes of bicentennial excitement. The U.S. Department of the Interior and Bureau of Prisons gave Greene County 60 acres in that year, on the southwest side of the city. There was a two-year development deadline attached to the surplus property, which had to be used before then.
The Nathanael Greene park was named in honour of the Revolutionary War major-general who fought with George Washington by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. The board was excited to start the project.
Just a pavilion and a little playground were present in the park at first. Nobody would have anticipated its rapid expansion at that time, most certainly.
Botanical Gardens
The Friends of the Garden group was founded in 1998, the same year as Close Memorial Park opened. The Friends of the Garden is a nonprofit group made up of volunteers from many professions, vocations, walks of life, and backgrounds. Their shared goal is to support the Botanical Center and develop and preserve the botanical gardens. They constantly seek out fresh and eager volunteers, as you might expect. The Azalea, Butterfly, Redbud, Columbine, Lily, and Dogwood Garden are just a few of the 26 gardens that are open to park visitors.
Gray Campbell’s residence
Springfield’s oldest home, according to popular belief, is the Gray Campbell residence. By James Price Gray, the home was constructed in 1856. As the nephew and namesake of Springfield’s founder, it finally passed John Polk Campbell who was his brother-in-law.
The mansion was relocated to Nathanael Greene Park from its original position close to the James River and Kansas expressways in 1984 as part of a rehabilitation effort led by the Springfield-Greene County Historic Preservation Society.
The section where visitors may find more about living in the 1860s has seen a lot of additions throughout the years. There is a kitchen, a two-crib barn, a granary, a well, and Liberty School.
Beautiful Lake Durmmond
In 2002, Anne Marie Case Drummond who was part of the City Council from 1977 to 1983 and was a major force behind several community and charitable initiatives, had this magnificent lake dedicated in her honour. Visitors may discover a bronze statue of her sitting on a seat and looking out over the lake that bears her name.
Native House
In honour of Dr. Bill Roston, who has had a lifelong enthusiasm for butterflies, the state’s sole native butterfly house bears his name. It debuted in 2009 and was partially financed by contributions gathered by Friends of the Garden.
With so much to offer, this must be the best site to aspire for.
You can read some related articles here to know more about Nathanael Greene.