Coming Soon!

The Springfield Sister Cities Association announces the construction of the new Peace Through People Pavilion to welcome more cultural performances and events at the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park.

Construction will begin this summer on the Peace Through People Pavilion, a partnership among SSCA, Friends of the Garden and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

It is expected to be completed this fall and will be located east of the Springfield Botanical Center building. The Peace Through People Pavilion will be a band shell powered for stage lighting and amplified sound facing a landscaped natural amphitheater that can accommodate about 500 patrons using lawn chairs or blanket seating.

After its opening, the Peace Through People Pavilion will be available for community reservations as well as special events developed by SSCA, FOG and the Park Board.

The Pavilion’s name reflects the mission and goals of the Springfield Sister Cities Association to advance awareness and understanding of many cultures, particularly through avenues such as performance, art and music.

The project is being funded by private donations, the Springfield Sister Cities Association, Friends of the Garden, and a $5,000 grant administered by the Springfield Regional Arts Council on behalf of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. In addition, the Tom and Kay Finnie Endowment Fund has been established at the CFO for long-term maintenance of the project. The Springfield-Greene County Park Board is providing in-kind services such as site preparation for the construction.

Springfield-based Butler, Rosenbury & Partners is the architect for the project. Frank Zanaboni of FrankZ Landscaping is the landscape architect working with Dennis McCain, landscape architect for the Parks Department.

“With the growing popularity of the Springfield Botanical Gardens as one of the city’s premiere amenities and our strong partnerships with FOG and the Park Board, the SSCA board believes this is an ideal location to build upon our success in creating more cultural opportunities for the community,” SSCA President Michael Thomas said.

For more information about the SSCA, visit http://peacethroughpeople.org/pavillion/

For media information, contact: Cindy Jobe, SSCA Executive Director, at cjobe@springfieldmo.gov.