The City of Ozark’s Garrison Springs Community Forest, which opened last summer, was honored by the Missouri Municipal League (MML) with the 2025 Innovation Award for large cities (population between 15,000 and 30,000). The Innovation Awards showcase municipal programs or projects that have been successfully implemented and demonstrate new approaches for solving municipal challenges. They also may serve as models for other communities.

Garrison Springs was recognized by MML for its “bold approach to environmental conservation, sustainable land management, and public recreation.”

When the City of Ozark purchased the property that would become Garrison Springs Community Forest, the goal was to develop a park that offered visitors an up-close experience with the native ecosystems and geologic features of the Ozarks. Phase 1 includes a walking trail, a bird-watching area, a viewing area and outdoor green space for families to enjoy.

Cochran is proud to have been a part of this project, providing engineering design and survey services for critical improvements to Phase 1 of property, including a lookout platform, 10-foot-wide trails, retaining walls and stormwater improvements, as well as a 4’x8’ concrete box culvert.