Boxing-themed playground going up at Davey Moore Park

Lester Yoder, from Woodland Installations, adds giant, metal boxing gloves to the new boxing-themed playground being installed at Davey Moore Park Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The new playground, which honors boxing legend Davey Moore, is part of the nearly three-quarters of a million dollars that National Trail Parks and Recreation District is spending on improvements to the park on the southwest side of Springfield. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

Lester Yoder, from Woodland Installations, adds giant, metal boxing gloves to the new boxing-themed playground being installed at Davey Moore Park Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The new playground, which honors boxing legend Davey Moore, is part of the nearly three-quarters of a million dollars that National Trail Parks and Recreation District is spending on improvements to the park on the southwest side of Springfield. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

A southside Springfield park named for boxing legend Davey Moore is getting boxing-themed playground equipment installed as part of a larger upgrade.

Crews from Woodland Installations last week added large metal boxing gloves to the new playground being installed under overall improvements for Davey Moore Park valued at nearly $750,000. Headgear and other boxing items also will be part of the playground installation approved by National Trail Parks and Recreation District.

Moore grew up on Springfield’s south side and became the world featherweight champion, holding the belt from 1959 to 1963. He died from injuries he sustained in a championship fight in 1963 with Sugar Ramos at Dodger Stadium.

The playground will have a flat surface suitable for children of all abilities, park officials said last year when details were first announced.

The work will not be ready for a couple more weeks.

Officials also plan to install an informational panel to tell about Moore’s life and his importance to the community, exposing the champion to new generations.

The park is at 600 S. Western Ave. and has 49 acres with ball fields, basketball courts, playground, shelter house and picnic areas.

It has seen new backboards added to the basketball courts, in conjunction with partner groups. Tennis courts also have been resurfaced.

Fulton Elementary School is next to the park.

National Trail Parks and Recreation District and city of Springfield officials plan to spend about $450,000 on a boxing themed accessible playground at Davey Moore Park, shown here in artist renditions. Moore was a champion boxer from Springfield who died after a fight. CONTRIBUTED

icon to expand image

The playground work is estimated to cost about $450,000.

A new skate park planned for Davey Moore Park is expected to cost $300,000.