In Springfield, Mo., a once private horse farm is being turned into a public park. What’s new, right? Well at least the property is not being turned into a strip mall. But in this case there is a positive twist. The park will feature horses--and environmental lessons will be learned.
The Springfield Parks and Recreation Center is building the park and its project goals include striving to teach people how to keep horses without causing environmental problems like erosion and water pollution.
The park’s Equine Center will be ready for partial use later this year. A riding arena and other facilities will be available, but it may take a few years before pastures are ready for horses. The pastures were planted with winter wheat last fall; other grasses will be planted later.