SPRINGFIELD, MO. — Following a two-year break, Springfield’s annual Park Day Reunion returns August 4-7 to Silver Springs Park, 1100 N. Hampton, as well as other locations around the area.
The annual reunion takes place the first weekend of August, bringing together friends and family from Springfield and around the country. Events are organized by the Springfield Reunion Club, in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.
This year’s theme is “Reunited… Together Again,” a nod to bringing the reunion back after COVID concerns led to the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 events.
“We are excited to be reunited and back together again,” said Nora England, president of the Springfield Reunion Club. “The Reunion Club looks forward to seeing everyone.”
Although picnics have been held in the park for many years, this event was named Park Day in 1952 when Gerald Brooks, a parks supervisor and a teacher at Springfield’s former Lincoln School, and Robert Wendell Duncan, also a park supervisor, started a day of games and sports events for young African American residents at Silver Springs Park.
This year’s reunion schedule includes multiple locations, all in Springfield, unless otherwise noted. Please note: the previously announced location of Saturday’s dance has been changed to the Lamplighter Inn.
Park Day Reunion schedule
Thurs., Aug. 4
- 8 a.m.: Golf Tournament Skins Game at Greene Hills Country Club, 8702 U.S. 160, Willard, Mo. Contact Johnny Huddleston, 816-223-7405.
Fri., Aug. 5
- 8 p.m. Hospitality, featuring DJ Feddi, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center. Admission $15/Age 12 and up, $5/Ages 4-11 yrs., kids age 3 and under are free.
Sat., Aug. 6
- 7 a.m. Golf 2-Man Scramble, Island Green Golf Course, 169 Country Club Dr., Republic, Mo. Contact Johnny Huddleston, 816-223-7405.
- 9 a.m. Bowling Tournament at Sunshine Lanes, 1500 W. Sunshine St. Contact Sunshine Lanes, 417-866-7246 or visit the Facebook event.
- 12 p.m. Park Day Reunion Parade at Silver Springs Park, sponsored by the Ladies Civic League and the NAACP. Contact Charmaine Huddleston, 417-425-9355, or Michele Wilson Johnson, 417-849-0948.
- 1 p.m. Park Day Car Show at Silver Springs Park, west of Timmons Hall. Free entry, prizes will be awarded, contact Wally Ransom, 417-766-6479.
- 1-4 p.m. Story-Telling Exhibits at Timmons Hall in Silver Springs Park.
- 1-6:30 p.m. Discount swimming at Silver Springs Pool, admission is $1 or free with a canned food donation for Ozarks Food Harvest.
- 1:30-4 p.m. Park Day Reunion Picnic at Silver Springs Park pavilion, pre-packaged side-side donations accepted, everyone is welcome.
- 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Park Day Dance, featuring The Full Flava Kings from Tulsa, Ok., at the Lamplighter Inn, 2820 N. Glenstone Ave.
Sun., Aug. 7
- Morning worship at various churches.
- 7 a.m. Golf 2-Man Best Ball at Deer Lake Golf Course, 5544 MO 266. Contact Johnny Huddleston, 816-223-7405.
- 1-6:30 p.m. Discount swimming at Silver Springs Pool, admission is $1 or free with a canned food donation for Ozarks Food Harvest.
- 3:30 p.m. Praise in the Park Gospel music concert at Silver Springs Park. Contact Samuel Timmerman 870-882-6696.
Silver Springs Park is one of Springfield’s 10 Historic Parks, each dating to before World War II. Silver Springs was established in Springfield in 1918, on land known as the old Fairbanks pasture, and later named for a spring on site, flowing into Jordan Creek. During segregation, Silver Springs was the city’s only public park designated for Black residents and sports leagues, including visiting baseball teams. In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration lined the creek channel with rock, installed the fieldstone retaining walls and built Silver Springs Pool. The Jordan Creek Greenway connected Silver Springs Park to Smith Park in 2003. Silver Springs Pool was renovated in 2010. In 2015, historic Timmons Temple was relocated into the park, reopening as Timmons Hall in 2019. Springfield’s first marker on the Springfield-Greene County African American Heritage Trail was installed in the park in 2018, the same year Silver Springs Park celebrated its centennial.
Earlier this year, a pipe collapse caused flooding in Silver Springs Park, near the amphitheater and playground. Repairs were begun in late June, with the affected areas set to reopen in time for the reunion.
For more information about the Park Day Reunion, visit Springfield Reunion Club Facebook page or email the Springfield Reunion Club.
For more information about Silver Springs Park, contact Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, at 417-224-5510 (mobile).
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