There are over 40 geographic areas named Springfield in the United States; they are also all around the world, from Belize to Ireland. Springfield, Missouri, however, is the most populous city with that name in the U.S. It not only serves its own residents as a city of approximately 170,000, but so many surrounding, little towns. Many people in small towns don’t care for the big city life, but like it or not, they depend on Springfield for shopping and their more critical, medical attention. Life in a small town is great, but sometimes items and services just can’t be had.
After moving from a city of 153,000 in South Florida (2020) to a town of 5,000 in Missouri, I welcomed the more neighborly feeling. I quickly learned that a monthly run to Springfield, while not completely necessary, helped me adjust both economically and for variety sake. I prefer to shop locally and at privately owned businesses, but my second choice is an hour’s drive away and not the on-line, global retailer when other options fail.
Driving around Springfield was not a big deal. At first. I lived between Fort Lauderdale and Miami with daily, traffic disasters and unbelievably bad drivers. But city and country driving are different. One neighbor said he could feel his blood pressure go up whenever he approached the exit ramp in Springfield and driving is a big part of his job. A local couple, on the outskirts of our town, told us that they don’t go there at all and bemoan even going to our little town.
After several trips, we had our first rude person in the parking lot experience in Springfield, to be honest, in all of Missouri, and we weren’t thrilled with some of the drivers. I knew plenty of nice people in Florida, and had many pleasant encounters with strangers, but compared to my present residence where so many drivers wave to each other, everyone holds the door for each other and strangers constantly say hello or help each other out, it was culture shock. Six months in and it was happening. We were getting spoiled.
I was starting to develop a prejudice toward Springfield. Even after getting so many items there that I couldn’t get back at home, I still wasn’t thrilled, as I don’t enjoy shopping. More recently, I have come to appreciate the bigger city for other reasons; parks, food and recycling.
There are not local recycling centers for dropping off items and Springfield has a lovely, city run facility. Lone Pine Recycling Center is clean and organized. I store up my recycling in totes and grab them whenever I’m headed over that way.
We also discovered some yummy and inexpensive places to eat: the Jamaican Patty Company (we had delicious jerk chicken and beef patties) and B2 Cafe (we had freshly made salads and a rich coffee). Back in the town that I love and in many nearby towns, the only ethnic restaurant choices are Mexican and Chinese (we have tried two Mexican restaurants so far, with good results). Sometimes, however, a girl born in New York and having lived in South Florida for several years, craves a bit more variety. I miss Cuban, Turkish, Lebanese and Thai food, all of which can be found in Springfield.
The best part of the city is its amazing parks. In the middle of urban sprawl and the shopping centers that I support, are family and pet friendly stretches of green, and being in Missouri, they have water; one even has a cave. Situated down the street from the recycling center is Sequiota Park.
Sequiota Park has a natural spring; its name means “many springs.” Different Native American tribes, such as the Cherokee, Fox, Kickapoo, Osage and Sac used the area in the past, according to the park’s sign. There’s a playground, a few really pretty bridges, a duck pond, rocks for climbing, walking paths and a cave! On the day that we went it was busy, but not packed.
As walkers, we enjoyed the meandering, wide, paved paths that wove through the park, but there’s also a narrow, dirt path for the more adventurous that goes along the back of the pond and requires slightly more climbing and a tolerance for shrubs. It has pretty water views and a bridge at either end. This park is also the trailhead for the Galloway Creek Greenway Trail.
I was excited about the cave (see the post about my previous spelunking adventure: return to glade top trail). While the cave was closed and only accessible by water, there was a smaller side cave. An excited, young boy showed us a little frog that he caught at the entrance to the water-filled cave, a place where the city website stated that migrating, gray bats hang out, but we did not see any on our visit. Even in winter, the park is scenic and a happy place for a variety of ducks.
There is another park that I have only started to get to know and love (with amazing gardens) and I suspect a Parks of Springfield post is coming. I also want to check out more of the Greenway Trail (on their website they mention goats on the trail!). I may be coming around on my resistance to visiting Springfield.