Missouri’s third-largest city is a garden lover’s Eden thanks to community pride, volunteerism and a plethora of green thumbs.

The garden scene in Springfield will only improve as fundraising is under way to build a botanical center that will overlook Nathaneal Greene Park and Close Memorial Park. The center will serve as a headquarters for gardening activities and offices for the local University Extension program and the parks department’s planning department.

While that project is taking root, people who enjoy ... (more)