Ever want to get away from the feel of the city for a little while? Then look no further than in Springfield itself.
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board boasts more than 100 parks in the Springfield Greene-County area. Many of these parks are taken care of through tax money or donations by individuals, but very few of them ask you to pay at the gates. The purpose of these parks is to provide both visitors and natives of Springfield a free experience, and all they ask is for visitors to follow a few simple rules including:
- Don’t litter or otherwise vandalize
- Only visit during open park hours
- Leave the environment as you found it (don’t take souvenirs) — or even leave it better than you found it and pick up any trash you see
Got those down? Then take a look at a few of the different options Springfield has for you to spend time with your family, take a walk, take a seat, or just take a break.
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Protected by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Springfield Conservation Nature Center is made up of 79 acres of wildlife. Whether you are walking one of the trails or visiting the indoor visitors center, you are bound to see or learn something about the animals and plants native to Missouri. Along the trail not only can you find signs that detail the different plants you encounter, but you can also hear the chirps and cries of various bugs and birds, watch squirrels and chipmunks scurry across the path, and even witness a deer as she eats her lunch only 20 feet away.
Want to learn something more specific? Try attending one of the centers many events to learn how you can help make the environments you visit better places.
Sequiota Park
Like those trails, but maybe want to have somewhere to cool off your feet when you’re done walking? Then check out Sequiota Park on Lone Pine Avenue. At Sequiota, you can kick off your shoes and soak those tired feet and legs over by the spring-fed cave.
This is a pet-friendly park too, so bring along your dog to walk along the paved path or throw a tennis ball around.
Phelps Grove Park
So maybe you are looking for a more traditional park with a pavilion? You can rent a picnic pavilion at Phelps Grove Park and enjoy that weekend, family barbecue complete with picnic tables and grills. Let the kids play on the playground equipment or take them over to the garden for a stroll.
Phelps Grove is also known for hosting many a charity walk/run and for containing the Springfield Art Museum.
Even the middle of downtown Springfield finds a ways to show you some of the natural world. At Jordan Valley Park take a casual meander along a paved path while still in the comfort of the city.
Still up for more of a Springfield adventure? There is convenient parking next to the park and the Mediacom Ice Park, Creamery Arts Center, and Hammons Field are right next door.
Founders Park
So maybe returning to nature isn’t really your thing? Not a problem at Founders Park, where a majority of the fixtures are 100 percent concrete. A great location for that parkour enthusiast, this park is also equipped with lighting and sound to host many events including concerts, dance exhibits, and even movies during the summer.
Though this park may not show much in the way of true nature, the concept behind it was to recreate the Phenix (stone) Quarry near Willard.
Looking for more parks?
