As the weather warms and nature blooms back into a green paradise, it's the ideal time to venture outdoors. Whether you call Springfield home or are simply passing through, there’s no denying that this city boasts a variety of beautiful outdoor parks, perfect for a quick escape or a day-long adventure. These are the largest and smallest parks Springfield has to offer.
Smallest: Founders Park
Founders Park, tucked away on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Walnut Street, might be small, but it’s bursting with history. This charming spot was once a stone quarry, a blacksmith shop, and home to the Herman-Sanford Horse Collar Factory, the Silsby Stove and Hardware Company, and more. Over the years, it’s been a lumberyard, a railroad right of way, and has seen Springfield’s past come to life in so many ways.
Today, Founders Park offers a peaceful escape in the heart of downtown. You can enjoy its 250-seat amphitheater, hear free summer concerts, admire a stunning 10x120-foot mural that tells Springfield’s first 100 years, and visit a re-creation of the original spring where our founders got their start. Best of all? It’s free to explore, offering both a quick break from the hustle and bustle and a chance to dive into some local history without leaving the city.
Size: .84 acres
Address: 330 E. Water St., Springfield
Largest: Ritter Springs
Just a short 20-minute drive northwest of Springfield, Ritter Springs Park is a haven for outdoor lovers. Whether you're into hiking, relaxing by the water, or exploring nature, this park has a bit of everything. With six scenic trails, a peaceful forest, a tranquil lake, streams, and even a small waterfall, it’s the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with the outdoors.
The park also has plenty of amenities, like a playground, a picnic pavilion, a sand volleyball court, and even an archery range. Plus, if you’re looking to dive deeper into nature, the Park Board’s Outdoor Initiatives program offers guided hikes, nature walks, overnight camp-outs, summer camps and more throughout the year.
Size: 245 acres.
Address: 3683 W. Farm Road 92, Springfield
