Run, ride, skip, skate in the streets

This summer, enjoy safe, outdoor recreation in one of Springfield’s most historic parks during Washington Park’s Bike and Hike Days. Bike and Hike Days run Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. During these designated times, roads within the 150-acre park, which features rolling terrain, large trees and wooded areas, ravines and two man-made lagoons, will be closed to vehicular traffic so that space may be maximized for running, walking, skating and biking. Bike and Hike days are perfect for teaching kids how to ride, catching up with friends or colleagues, or rallying the family for fitness and fun. Although Washington Park, now on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, was initially built in 1901 by landscape gardener Ossian Simonds to serve as termini for an urban trolley, the park is primarily used today for passive outdoor recreation. For more information about Washington Park and the Springfield Park District, visit http://springfieldparks.org or call 544-1751.

Bike and Hike Days
May 28, 8am-3pm Sun
May 30-Jun 1, 4-6pm Tue-Thu
Washington Park
1501 S. Grand Ave. W.
544-1751
Free

This article appears in May 25-31, 2017.