Enjoy the Springfield Park District’s 43rd annual showcase of spring flora, available for viewing daily between now and April 3. More than 800 Easter lilies, hyacinths, tulips and narcissus will be on display amid lush, tropical foliage at the Washington Park Botanical Garden Exhibition Hall. Washington Park Botanical Garden is one of Illinois’ largest horticultural […]
Springfield Park District
Posted inArts & Culture
Pancake party
Pancakes, Paws and Santa Claus is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a special breakfast with zoo animals and the big guy himself. Children and their parents are invited to join the Henson Robinson Zoo and Lincoln Greens Golf Course on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The event kicks off with a delicious […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ice outing
The Springfield Park District offers Skate with Santa at the Nelson Center during designated public skate times on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22. On Saturday, Dec. 2, public skate time lasts from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Santa will skate from approximately noon to 1 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 22, public skate time is 2-4 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Slam-dunk social
The 20th Annual Juneteenth Celebration takes to Comer Cox Park, June 15-16. New this year is a gospel fest on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. featuring local church and area gospel groups. A new splash fountain at the newly renovated playground will prove to be a welcome addition, too. Back is the Gus Macker Tourney starting […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Big bells
Pack your chair or blanket and head to Washington Park for some fabulous sounds ringing out for six nights at the International Carillon Festival. Rain or shine, six of the world’s top carillonneurs from The Netherlands and United States will present concerts nightly. A large screen at the base of the carillon will show concert […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Animal social
The wildly popular Dr. Dolittle Day at the Henson Robinson Zoo is Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Activities are ongoing throughout the day, including the ever popular turtle races, as well as animal programs and special enrichment treats for the animals. Vendors will also be on hand throughout the zoo. This […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Breaking the ice
January is national skating month and the Springfield Figure Skating Club, Springfield Youth Hockey and the Springfield Park District are hosting a It’s Great to Skate event Saturday, Jan. 12. Watch figure and hockey skaters demonstrate skills from the United States Figure Skating Basic Skills program and take part in a 20-minute skating lesson. After […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Winter wonderland
Looking for that last-minute holiday activity to share with the family? The Springfield Park District’s Henson Robinson Zoo has been featuring its 17th annual Holiday Lights at the Zoo in December. There’s still time this weekend to take the walking tour to see thousands of lights and light displays. You also get to see Santa […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Full-court press
The 19th Annual Juneteenth Celebration June 16-17 features a slam dunk contest and the Gus Macker Tourney, with 120 teams registered to play games starting at 8:30 a.m. The weekend kicks off with Movie in the Park on Friday, June 15, at dusk with a viewing of Puss ‘n Boots. A Saturday parade from King Drive […]
Posted inNews
Park district mulling Griffin Woods purchase
The warm summer breeze rushes through the dense underbrush of the second-growth forest known colloquially as Griffin Woods, filling the close space with the rustle and shimmer of thousands of leaves. A broken shoelace, a potato chip bag and a few empty beer bottles lie just inside the perimeter, a testament to careless trespassers who […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Trail treats
A safe place to trick-or-treat with the little ones this Halloween season is at Henson Robinson Zoo for the Springfield Park District’s Zoolie Ghoulie. The zoo opens at 2 p.m. on four Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 22, 23, 29 and 30, for costumed crusaders and creatures. A popular and beloved event, stations are set up […]
Posted inNews
Zoo master plan moving along
Results are in, and the survey says Henson Robinson Zoo is both a gem and a challenge yet to be met. As part of an effort to revitalize Springfield’s 41-year-old zoo, volunteers representing the park district, the general public and the zoo itself have gathered regularly for the past several months to work on what […]
