Nathaniel Green/Close Memorial Park
This lovely park boasts extensive green space, playground equipment, pavilion, picnic areas and Japanese Stroll Gardens. Located to the Northwest of Springfield, it is adjacent to the Close Botanical Gardens.
Nathaniel Green/Close Memorial Park
2400 S. Scenic
Springfield, Mo.
417-864-1049
parkboard.org/info/city_parks/index.html#nathanael
Dickerson Park Zoo
A regional favorite for school field trips and family outings, the zoo has well kept grounds and animals for everyone's enjoyment. It has a picnic area, food venders (for humans and animals) and a petting zoo.
Dickerson Park Zoo
1401 West Norton Road
Springfield, MO 65803-1023
417-833-1570
dickersonparkzoo.org
Discovery Center
The Discovery Center is a great place for indoor, rainy day fun that will education as well as entertain. Stocked with hands-on activities for preschool through elementary age children, it also hosts school field trips, educational events and movies, and has a lab for scientific lectures and learning.
Discovery Center
438 East Saint Louis Street
Springfield, MO 65806-2312
417-862-9910
discoverycenter.org
Fassnight Park
Located in the center of town this community park has a swimming and wading pool, playground equipment and a natural stream. During the summer, the Springfield Parks Board sponsors swim lessons at this location.
Fassnight Park
S. Campbell and Meadowmere
Springfield, Mo.
417-864-1049
parkboard.org/info/city_parks/index.html#nathanael
Lake Springfield
On the south side of Springfield is an extensive nature park equipped with walking trails and a pavilion. Lake Springfield also has areas for fishing and boating.
Lake Springfield
2312 E. Lake
Springfield Park Road
Springfield, Mo.
417-864-1049
parkboard.org/info/city_parks/index.html#laFayette
Ritter Springs Park
Located North of Springfield, Ritter Springs has beautiful natural streams and rock formations as well as playground equipment and picnic areas.
Ritter Springs Park
3683 W. Farm Road 92
Springfield, Mo.
417-864-1049
parkboard.org/info/city_parks/index.html#ray
Schools, Parks are Reaching Communities (SPARC)
The Springfield Park Board and Springfield School District (SPARC) hosts a broad variety of activities for after school and summer vacation. Specific events and programs may be found by going to the SPARC website and clicking on the local school district hosting the program. Programs are also planned and hosted at the six community centers of Chesterfield Family Center, Doling Family Center, Northview Center, Oak Grove Community Center and Tom Watkins Center.
SPARC
300 E. Harrison
417-837-5737
http://www.parkboard.org/info/youth_programs/index.html
