Carpenter Park
- Nature & parks
- In Springfield, Illinois
- 0.7 mi from Route 66
Carpenter Park covers 322 acres along the Sangamon River's north bank at the far north end of Springfield, IL, less than a mile off the old road. Part of it is protected as an Illinois Nature Preserve, and the park is an Important Bird Area. It is one of the natural stops linked with old Route 66 in Springfield, with river views for travelers who want a walk instead of another museum.
What is Carpenter Park?
The park is managed by the Springfield Park District and named for William Carpenter. Its value is natural rather than built: part of the land is protected as an Illinois Nature Preserve, and the park is recognized as an Important Bird Area for the state. The river frontage and protected ground make it a quieter counterpoint to the historic houses and memorials elsewhere in the city.
Nature and birds
The Important Bird Area label marks the park as a significant place for birds in Illinois, so binoculars are worth packing. The nature preserve section is kept for habitat first; stay on marked paths where they exist and leave plants and wildlife undisturbed. The riverbank is the obvious place to slow down, sit a while and watch.
Visiting Carpenter Park: tips
Plan an hour or more for a walk. Wheelchair access is noted for the park, and a campground, Riverside Park Campgrounds, is about 0.7 mile away if you want to stay close to the river. Restrooms are not listed at the park itself; the nearest public one noted is about 0.6 mile away, so plan ahead.
The park is a detour of less than a mile from the old road. On the way back, it is about 1.9 miles to the Lazy A Motel, a retro roadside motel building, and about 2.2 miles to the Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack. Shea's Gas Station Museum is about 2.6 miles off.
Practical info
- Address
- 1 Carpenter Park Trail, Springfield, IL 62707
- Phone
- +1 217-544-1751
- Hours
- Sunrise to sunset
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
Where to eat near Carpenter Park
All diners on Route 66 →
On the map
Full mapCarpenter Park with the 6 closest stops and places to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.
Tap a dot to see that stop here.
Stops near Carpenter Park
All of Illinois
1.9 mi from Carpenter Park
2.2 mi from Carpenter Park
2.6 mi from Carpenter Park
2.7 mi from Carpenter Park
3.6 mi from Carpenter Park
3.6 mi from Carpenter Park
Questions about Carpenter Park
Is Carpenter Park connected with Route 66?
Yes. It is known as one of the old road's sights in Springfield, IL, and lies about 2.5 miles off the historic route.
How big is Carpenter Park?
It covers 322 acres along the Sangamon River.
Own or run Carpenter Park? Send us a photo or a correction.