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Alcohol FAQ

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1. Where may I have alcohol in parks?

Only licensed staff may serve alcohol in parks, at certain locations. Park Board staff may serve alcohol at these locations:

• Bill & Payne Stewart Golf Course
• Horton Smith Golf Course
• Rivercut Golf Course
• Jordan Valley Ice Park, only during college, semi-pro and professional events and private rentals.
• Cooper Tennis Complex, only during college, semi-pro and professional events and private rentals, only in designated areas.
• Dickerson Park Zoo, only during special events, in designated areas.
• Meador Baseball Stadium (does not include other ballfields at Meador Park).
• Licensed caterers may serve alcohol, with a Parks Alcohol Permit, during private rentals and special events at these locations, in designated areas:
• Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center and Gardens
• Lake Springfield Boathouse and Park
• Davis House and Property
• Jordan Valley Park
• Northview Center
• Greenway Trails
• Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park
• Valley Water Mill Park
• Valley Water Mill Equestrian Center

2. Where is alcohol prohibited in parks?

Alcohol is prohibited in any park not listed above. In addition, no alcohol is allowed at School-Parks, youth sports events, family-themed events, neighborhood parks, playgrounds, pools and picnic pavilions, except where noted above.

3. May I bring my own alcohol?

No. You may not bring any alcohol onto any park property. Alcohol may be served only by Park Board staff or licensed caterers.

4. What's required to serve alcohol as part of a private rental with alcohol?

You must have an approved facility rental booking, a Parks Alcohol Permit, an insured caterer with a liquor license and Springfield business license, a $1 million General Liability Insurance certificate, a $1 million Alcohol Liability Insurance certificate, and event security.

5. How much does that cost?

Costs may vary. This is a base estimate:

• Parks Alcohol Permit: $250
• Facility booking: Varies, $250-$1,500
• Licensed caterer: Varies, contact your caterer
• City of Springfield business license (if needed): About $25, contact your caterer
• General liability insurance: About $175
• Alcohol Liability insurance: About $175
• Event security: Cost varies based on attendance and duration of rental.

6. How do I get a Parks Alcohol Permit?

Start by inquiring with your chosen facility, to check available rental dates.

• Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center and Gardens 417-891-1515
• Lake Springfield Boathouse and Park 417-891-1550
• Davis House and Property 417-874-2942
• Jordan Valley Park 417-874-2942
• Northview Center 417-837-5808
• Greenway Trails 417-864-1049
• Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park 417-837-5949
• Valley Water Mill Park 417-833-3291
• Valley Water Mill Equestrian Center 417-833-3291

The facility manager will help guide you through the rest of the process, including applications and approval. You must provide details about your caterer on the application. All required documents and fees, including permit, booking and security, must be submitted at least 30 days before the event. Weekend dates book up quickly, and some details may take you several days to determine. Start your process early.

7. Who may serve alcohol at my event?

Only a caterer with a Missouri liquor license and Springfield business license may serve alcohol. You must book your own caterer for these locations.

8. May my friends, family, volunteers or employees serve alcohol?

No, not unless they are employed by your caterer and covered by your caterer’s insurance and liquor license.

9. May my caterer serve beer, wine or mixed drinks?

Yes, but the type of alcohol served at your event is defined by your caterer’s liquor license.

10. How do I get a certificate of insurance for my event?

Purchase general liability and alcohol liability insurance through the insurance carrier of your choice. Ask your insurance company, or purchase insurance through the City of Springfield TULIP (Tenant Users Liability Insurance Policy) Program.

11. Who provides security at my event?

The Park Board contracts with a private security company.

12. What if my event is canceled?

If you cancel your event 30 or more days before the event date, the Park Board will provide a 50-percent refund of facility booking fees, the Parks Alcohol Permit and security fees. If you cancel your event fewer than 30 days of the event date, no refunds will be made. Plan carefully before booking an event.

13. What if my event is impacted by weather?

Please plan carefully for how your event will cope with weather. For outdoor events, ask park's staff about booking tents. In the event of severe weather, Parks staff will be glad to assist and try to make accommodations. However, no refunds will be made due to weather.

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CP - Functionality Test

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1. Can I apply online?

answer here

2. Do I have to license my pets?

Answer here.

3. Where can I sign up for utilities?

Answer here

4. How do I contact a city/county department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

5. Where can I find the answers to my frequently asked questions?

Use the FAQs module to easily find answers to the questions you ask the most.

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Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park

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1. How much does the classroom cost to rent and what does it include?

The classroom is $50/hour with a 2 hour minimum. This includes staff cleaning and setting up before and after your rental.

The set up includes 6 tables with 6 chairs around each, and 1 extra table for food and presents.

You are able to show up 30 minutes prior to your rental time to decorate and get ready, but we ask that you are out as close to your ending time as possible as we have to clean and set up for the next rental so they can show up 30 minutes prior as well.

2. When can I rent the classroom?

We have 6 time slots to choose from each weekend. They are 9-11 a.m., 12-2 p.m., and 3-5 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

You are able to rent longer than a 2 hour time window with the Farm Park Coordinators approval.

It is NOT available on the weekends in October. We have our Harvest Fest event every weekend and will be using the classroom for that.

3. Is there anything else I can add to the classroom rental?

Bounce House: We set up the bounce house. It is $35/hour with a 2 hour minimum. These 2 hours don't have to be the same 2 hours that you have the classroom rented for. This is a weather depending item. If it is raining or wind speeds exceed 15 mph, it is not safe and won't be set up.

Cow Train: We provide staff to drive the cow train around the farm. It is $50/hour with a 1 hour minimum. This is a weather depending item. If it is raining or really cold it can't be rented.

4. What is there to do on a normal day?

There are many different activities to do that are free on a normal day. We have a farm-themed playground to play on, pedal tractors to ride, animals to see and pet, a pond to fish in (has a small fee), shop around in the Gift Shop, and antique tractors to take pictures on. We also have Wilson's Creek Walking Trail that makes up the northern border of our property to walk on. Or you could bring a kite, blanket, and picnic basket and sit and have a picnic, or bring a team of people and play ball games.

5. How much does it cost to fish at the pond?

It costs $5.50/pole to go fishing. That includes your pole, bait, and tackle. You can also bring your own pole, bait, and tackle; we just ask that you still pay a $2 fee. Extra bait costs $2. No fishing license is required because it is catch and release fishing only. Ages 4 and under are free with a paid adult. The pond is open from April-October.

6. What kind of fish are in the pond?

We have the pond stocked with largemouth bass, hybrid bluegill, and channel catfish.

7. I'm in the barn, but I don't see any animals. Where are all the animals?

If the weather is nice, the animals will be out in their corrals just east of the big animal barn. You can watch them play and pet them, but we ask that you do not feed them.

8. How much does it cost to come out to the farm?

Admission is always FREE. There is only a small fee for the activities during a festival, to fish in the pond, and to purchase items from the gift shop.

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Turkey Trot

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1. What’s Turkey Trot?

Turkey Trot is a 5K race, run, walk and community event that takes place on the morning
of Thanksgiving Day in downtown Springfield. Proceeds from the event benefit the
Developmental Center of the Ozarks and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board
Scholarship Fund. Turkey Trot is also a food drive for Ozarks Food Harvest. Turkey Trot
started in 1995 with 142 participants. The event has grown to around 7,000
participants in 2019. It’s the largest Thanksgiving Day 5K in Missouri and Springfield’s
largest annual timed race. It’s Springfield’s Thanksgiving tradition!

2. Where and when is Turkey Trot?

Turkey Trot is Thanksgiving Day —Thursday, Nov. 24, 8 a.m. The race starts and ends at the Springfield Expo Center, 635 E. St Louis St., downtown Springfield. The race course includes downtown Springfield and streets around the perimeter of the Missouri State University campus. View the course map here.

3. How can I be a part of Turkey Trot?

You must register to participate in Turkey Trot. Registration includes a long-sleeved tshirt
and race bib/number with timing chip. You can register online here until Nov. 22, or register in-person on the day of the race.

4. How much does registration cost?

Each online registration will have an up to 13-percent service fee. Full-price registration, including in-person, is $35/adults, $30/kids 12 and younger. In-person registration is open Wednesday, Nov. 23, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; or on Race Day, Thursday, Nov. 24. 6-7:15 a.m.

5. May I register for more than one person at a time?

Yes, but everyone needs their own registration form. You may use a single check or
credit card transaction, or cash, for all your registration forms.

6. Do I need to register my baby or toddler?

Babies and toddlers don’t need to register. Little kids need to register if they want a shirt
or an official race time. Available kids t-shirt sizes are Youth Medium and Youth Large.

7. When/where do I get my t-shirt and race packet?

Packet pick-up is Wednesday, Nov. 23, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; or on Race Day, Thursday, Nov. 24. 6-7:15 a.m., at the Springfield Expo Center, 635 E. St Louis St., downtown Springfield. You may pick up packets for friends and family, but please make sure the right person gets the right packet.

8. Do I have to run the race, or may I walk?

You can go at your own speed. There are categories for racers, runners and walkers. The majority of people walk this event!

9. Which category should I enter?

There are four categories: 

• Elite: For runners who have completed a timed 5K race in a
  minimum of 21 minutes/men and 24 minutes/women in the last 18 months. No dogs or
  strollers allowed. 
• Runner: For runners who will run the entire race without walking
  breaks. No dogs or strollers allowed. 
• Family/Walker: For anyone participating with a
  family, a group or a stroller. Participants may run or walk. Strollers are allowed. 
• Dog: For
  anyone participating with a dog on a leash. Participants may run or walk. Strollers,
  families and group are allowed. Please clean up after your dog.

10. How do the four categories work?

There will be one starting line, with two staggered starts. 

• Elite: Your race bib is RED. Line up by the stage/starting gate on St Louis Street, near John Q Hammons Parkway. Elite starts with the first starting gun, right at 8 a.m. This area is marked by RED flags. 
• Runners: Your race bib is GREEN. Line up behind the Elite on St Louis Street. When Elite clears out, the Runners group moves forward for a second starting gun. This area is marked by GREEN flags. 
• Walker/Family: Your race bib is WHITE. This area has no fencing. Line up behind Runners on St Louis Street, from west of Jordan Valley Car Park to Kimbrough Ave. This is, by far, the largest group. The Walker/Family groups moves forward after the Runner group clears out. 
• Dog: Your race bib is YELLOW. Participants with dogs are encouraged to line up near the rear of the Walker/Family group, close to the Springfield Expo Center. This group will start with the Walker/Family group. Please clean up after your dog.

11. What about wheelchair users?

Wheelchair users may enter any category — including Elite, if they qualify.

12. What is a Traveling Trotter?

Out of town or avoiding crowds? Choose your own route as a Traveling Trotter! Place your order by Fri., Nov. 4, and we’ll mail your packet to any address in the US, $32/participant, includes shipping. Traveling Trotters are not eligible for official results or medals.

13. May I bring my rollerblades, skateboard, scooter or bicycle?

No. For safety reasons, including preventing trip hazards in a large crowd, no skates, skateboards, scooters, roller blades, Heelys, bicycles and other wheeled toys are not allowed.

14. May I bring headphones?

No. Due to safety, headphones are not allowed during the race.

15. May I bring my dog?

Yes. Friendly dogs are welcome in the Dog category only, and are not allowed in the
Elite or Runner groups. Dogs must be on a leash. Please clean up after your dog.

16. May I bring my stroller?

Yes. Strollers are welcome in the Family/Walker and Dog categories, and are not allowed in the Elite or Runner groups. No registration is required for kids in strollers.

17. Why are strollers and dogs not allowed in the Elite and Runner categories?

Dogs, leashes, dog waste and strollers create a safety hazard for other runners, especially at the starting line. It’s very easy for runners to be blocked by or trip over dogs and strollers. You may run the whole course with a dog or stroller, but you’ll have to start with Walker/Family or Dog categories.

18. Do I have to be in front, or in the Elite or Runner categories, to win a prize?

The first male and female runners to cross the finish line are the overall race winners, and must enter the Elite category. The male and female Masters Division (age 40+) and the male and female Grand Masters Division (age 60+), will be determined by timing chips, but are advised to enter the Elite category.

19. Who may win prizes?

Immediately following the race, trophies are presented at the Springfield Expo Center to Overall male and female race winners, male and female Masters Division (age 40+) winners and the male and female Grand Masters Division (age 60+) winners. Medals are mailed to 1st, 2nd and 3rdplace age division winners, starting the week after the race. Age divisions are in five-year increments, starting at age 9 and under and spanning to age 84 and older.

20. How may I find my race time?

Preliminary race times are posted here as soon as they become available. Overall winners are announced at the Awards Ceremony, while age division awards are mailed to winners after a 48-hour dispute period.

21. Where do I take my food donation for Ozarks Food Harvest?

Thanks for donating food! Drop off your food donations inside the Springfield Expo
Center. Volunteers from Ozarks Food Harvest will be on site Wednesday and Thursday.
Look for the signs. Thanks for donating!

22. Where do I park?

View the parking map HERE. Free parking is first-come, first-served at Jordan Valley Ice Park, University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, the Discovery Center and MSU lots #39 (Kentwood) and #52 (Christ Episcopal Church). Paid parking is available for $10 at Jordan Valley Car Park (garage).

23. Where can I leave my bags or coats?

Leave all bags or coats in your vehicle, or leave them at home. For the safety of all participants, no unattended bags or items are allowed at or along the race site. Such items may be considered abandoned and are subject to search and seizure.

24. What if I get hurt, or can’t finish the race?

We have course marshals, paramedics and police officers patrolling the course. Call 911
if you need help and they will be dispatched to your location.

25. What if my child gets lost?

Lost children will be taken to the Lost & Found area inside the Springfield Expo Center.
Call 911 if you need help, and a police officer will be dispatched to your location.

26. What if it rains or snows?

Turkey Trot is held rain, shine, snow, sleet or whatever weather. Please dress accordingly. The race start may be delayed by severe weather. Check Facebook @TurkeyTrotSGF for weather updates.

27. I registered, and then I changed my mind. May I get a refund?

Sorry, all registrations are final. No refunds will be issued.

28. This is my first Turkey Trot. Anything else I need to know?

Turkey Trot is FUN! Grab your friends and family, get registered and join in Springfield’s
Thanksgiving tradition!

29. How do we compete for Best Dressed and Largest Family?

To shorten the Awards Ceremony, and to include more participation, contests for best dressed individual and group, cutest dog and largest group or family have moved to Facebook @TurkeyTrotSGF. Contestants must share a photo of themselves participating in Turkey Trot on this page to be eligible to compete. Winners of best dressed and cutest dog are determined by the most online interactions (comments, likes, etc.) Winners of the largest family are determined by a photo with the most people from a single group wearing this year’s Turkey Trot t-shirt.