The Springfield-Greene County Park Board is partnering with local nonprofit Trailspring to design and build a pump track in McDaniel Park, in the open space just north of the park’s existing parking lot and trailhead for the South Creek Greenway. Trailspring is the founder of Two Rivers Bike Park in Christian County and developer of the Dirt 66 Trails at Fellow’s Lake, north of Springfield.
A pump track is a paved circular loop of rollers and berms, requiring minimal pedaling or pushing, designed for bicycles, roller skates, scooters, skateboards, etc. Riders create momentum with body movements to propel themselves along the track. Pump tracks may be enjoyed by beginner cyclists, kids, families and more experienced riders, to strengthen skills while having fun.
McDaniel Park’s playground, trailhead and current parking lot will remain in place.
Trailspring has acquired pledges totaling $555,000 to fund design and construction of the pump track. Trailspring presented the proposal to the Park Board in October 2024, and the board unanimously accepted the proposal and funding donation during its Jan. 10 meeting.
The Park Board is working with Trailspring on design and engineering. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2025, with opening anticipated by summer 2026.
Trailspring Executive Director Alaina Grote said her organization strives to strengthen the relationship between individuals and the outdoors through versatile and inclusive projects.
“Communities thrive when their residents and visitors have access to outdoor recreation,” said Grote. “We wanted to bring an outdoor space to a more urban location in an effort to remove some of the barriers that prevent people from exploring outside, such as transportation and equipment costs. A pump track is low maintenance, multi-generational and beginner-friendly, making it the perfect addition to our growing community.
A pump track has been envisioned for the McDaniel Park and the adjacent George Moore Park since a 2014 master plan, but the project has been on hold for many years due to a lack of funding. The current plan places the pump track fully within McDaniel Park, with no development of George Moore Park.
McDaniel Park, near the center of Springfield at South National Avenue and East Sunset Street, is an important nexus for cycling and recreational trail use. The park’s namesake, Robert Edward Lee McDaniel, who was known as “Lee,” was an acclaimed horse trainer and riding instructor whose career spanned more than 50 years. He operated a riding stable near his home at 1156 E. Broadmoor, on what’s now park property. He died in 1971, at age 73. The park,
acquired by the Park Board in 1997, is named for him.
The park’s South Creek Greenway trailhead is the kick off for six miles of greenway trail, connecting McDaniel Park to The Link, an eight-mile north-south on-street bike route, near Holland Avenue and Sunset.
From there the South Creek Greenway continues westward beneath Campbell Avenue, over Kansas Expressway, through Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, and connecting to Carver Middle School. Near West Battlefield Road and West Bypass/160, the greenway transitions to a half-mile on-street bike route before connecting to the five-mile Wilson’s Creek Greenway at Tal’s Trailhead, west of Springfield city limits.
This fall, construction is scheduled to begin on an eastward expansion of the South Creek Greenway along Sunset Street, connecting McDaniel Park to Meador Park and Glenstone Avenue. This new segment greenway segment is scheduled for completion in early 2026.
“We’re grateful for the support from Trailspring, the Park Board and other supporters of this project to bring a new recreation attraction to Springfield,” said Ron Schneider, director of parks. “McDaniel Park is centrally located along trails and bike routes, and it’s ideal for development of this amenity. A pump track provides a fun place to skate, ride or glide, that can be enjoyed by users of all ages and skill levels.”
The pump track proposal has been endorsed through letters of support from Springfield Youth Cycling Club and the Seminole Holland Neighborhood Association.