Honoring a 'tireless advocate,' community dedicates Roseann Bentley Musical Playground

Growing up, Grace Bentley didn't think of her grandma, Roseann Bentley, as a powerhouse in the community; she was just her "Grannie Annie."

When recalling memories about her Grannie, Grace thinks about the cans of Coca-Cola kept in the refrigerator and the pinball machine she and her siblings would sneak up to play on the third floor of the Bentley home. She thinks about "huge" Christmas celebrations with extended family and the occasional road trips she'd take with her Grannie for legislative conferences.

It was warm memories such as those that — despite some gloomy weather Tuesday — brightened the day as nearly 100 community members gathered in Phelps Grove Park to celebrate Grace Bentley's Grannie Annie at the dedication of the Roseann Bentley Musical Playground.

Located at the center of the park's current playground area, the new addition includes eight playground-grade instruments, including Titan Tines, Tuned Drums, Freenote Flowers, Lilypad Cymbals, Serenade Chimes, Tenor Tree Bells, Calypso Drum and Melody Metallophone, all built in colorful shapes of flowers and trees, according to the Springfield-Greene County Park Board website.

The now-open playground also features a new handicap-accessible concrete sidewalk branching off from the already-established sidewalk in the park and three benches. Soon, natural stone edging and a flower bed will be added.

Staying warm and dry under a bundle of blankets, Roseann Bentley, 87, smiled brightly as community leaders shared their favorite memories of her during the ceremony.

"She's done so much. She's made laws and funded things, but I really think this is what she would be the most proud of, seeing that kids are playing at a playground that's named after her," Grace Bentley said.

A collaboration between the Park Board and Community Partnership of the Ozarks, the original fundraising goal for the playground was $100,000. As of Monday, more than $115,000 had been raised, according to Community Partnership of the Ozarks President and CEO Janet Dankert. Additional funds above the initial goal will be distributed to the Park Board for the playground's maintenance.

Community Partnership of the Ozarks still has "naming" gifts available for the three benches. Benches can be dedicated for $15,000 each, which includes donor recognition on the bench, in marketing and media materials and on the Community Partnership of the Ozarks website.

A "tireless advocate"

Greg Burris, CEO of United Way of the Ozarks, described Roseann Bentley as a "tireless advocate for children's issues" in an interview with the News-Leader.

Bentley got her start teaching kindergarten and first grade before serving on the Springfield Board of Education, Missouri State School Board of Education, National Association of State Boards of Education and Parents as Teachers National Board. While serving on the national board, Bentley met with former President George H. W. Bush to discuss National Education Goals, according to the Junior League of Springfield.

Bentley also served on the American Medical Association and National Association of State Boards of Education Adolescents Health Commissions, Children's Mercy Hospital Advisory Board, Discovery Center of Springfield Board and countless other organizations geared to bettering the community for children.

In 1995, Bentley was elected as the first women from southwest Missouri to serve in the Missouri State Senate (she beat her male counterpart by more than 740 votes). In this role she served on the Senate Finance Committee and chaired the Children's Services Commission.

"She had the ability to work with just about anyone," Burris said. "She could work across the aisle."

As a senator, Bentley worked largely on legislation that benefited children, including legislation that made it easier for families to adopt children and "significant improvements" to the state's foster care system, Greene County Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon said at the dedication ceremony.

Bentley continued to represent the Springfield district on the Missouri State Senate until 2003. The same year, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce named her the 2003 Springfieldian, according to a News-Leader story published on Feb. 1, 2003.

Following her service on the statewide level, Bentley was a Greene County Commissioner for 12 years. She retired in 2016.

One of her most notable accomplishments as commissioner was supporting the Greene County Youth Academy, a "wonderful asset to our community," Dixon said. The academy is a community-based treatment program that provides alternative education and counseling for students in juvenile detention.

In honor of Bentley's long-time contributions to local children, Springfield Public Schools named its administrative center, the Roseann Bentley Administrative Center, on Sunshine Street after her the same year as her retirement.

Bentley's career includes several other highlights, among them co-founding Ozarks Public Television in the early 1970s and the United Way of the Ozarks Day of Caring in 1993. During a day-long volunteerism event, community members give back to local nonprofits, often through manual labor projects.

During the inaugural Day of Caring in August 1993, about 150 volunteers helped complete projects for area organizations, according to a News-Leader story published on Aug. 27, 1993. During this year's Day of Caring in June, more than 1,300 volunteers turned out, Burris said.

A friend and mentor to many

In addition to co-founding Day of Caring, Bentley also helped start Community Partnership of the Ozarks' Board of Directors. She served on the board for more than 20 years, retiring from her role in 2021.

Dankert said as CEO of Community Partnership of the Ozarks, she has close relationships with all of the board members, including Bentley.

"I have always counted her as a friend and as a mentor," Dankert told the News-Leader via phone call. "She is a strong female leader and has paved the way for many of us who are in leadership roles now. I always knew I could go to her with a question or for advice and she was always willing to help me. I know she's done that for many other people."

Elected to the county commission after Bentley's retirement, Dixon also shared fond memories of her mentorship during the dedication ceremony.

"When I decided I want to go to Drury and work on my master's program, it was Roseann who wrote the letter of introduction and helped me get accepted into that program," Dixon said. "So I have a personal, very personal appreciation on that level."

More: Roseann Bentley — a Retrospective

While thinking about her friendship with Bentley, Dankert recalled a fond memory with both Roseann and her late husband John Bentley.

In celebration of Community Partnership of the Ozarks' 25th anniversary, the Bentleys opened up their home to the organization's staff and board for a Christmas party.

"Me and a few of our team (members) went over early to help set up and it was just delightful to be with them in their home, decorating and setting up for the party and seeing how hospitable they were to our whole team and board," Dankert told the News-Leader. "It was just a really special memory for me because a lot of times, when you're working with people, you don't get to see that side of them."

John Bentley, who died in March, was a renowned physical and humanitarian in Springfield. Like Roseann, John's contributions to the community are countless. Among the most notable were volunteering as the medical director of The Kitchen, Inc. in 1985 and establishing the Jordan Valley Community Health Center in 2003.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Roseann Bentley Musical Playground now open in Phelps Grove Park