Springfield Nature Center
add photosThe Springfield Conservation Nature Center provides free conservation educational activities for all ages. Open year-round, the center offers nature exhibits, hiking trails, programs and a nature-related gift shop.
Building open 8am - 5pm daily. Area open 8am - 9pm Mar - Oct; 8am - 6pm remainder of the year. Closed major holidays.
5 Reviews for Springfield Nature Center
25
30 families found this helpful
"Fun place to go...especially on a rainy day"
We had a rainy day and took our then18-month old to the Springfield Nature Center. My son loved the animals and bird watching. They even had wild turkeys on site that were viewable from behind glass. Lots of bird calls and options for learning more about nature. Toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners as well as older children will love this place...especially on a rainy day!
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0 families found this helpful
"This is one of our warm weather favorites!"
This is a great way to get outdoors and stretch your legs. You will find the trails very maneuverable, well marked, and partially shaded in most places. There are trails that accommodate strollers, wheelchairs, and small children. While other trails are a little more challenging that would not meet the needs of any wheeled "vehicle."
Before making a visit to the nature center, I would suggest looking into some of the activities and classes that they offer for individuals ages six months and up. They offer classes anywhere from story time for toddlers to animal and nature recognition/education classes taught by experienced conservation agents.
0 families found this helpful
"Quiet, relaxing and free!! "
It is great to take the kids to go for a walk. You can choose how far/long you want to walk, depending upon which trail you choose. You wil see deer, turkey, and a wide array of wild life. It is a great time to be had for all. I visit the nature center often by myself and with the kids. Definitely a favorite place to visit.
'10, '11
2 families found this helpful
"Nature in the city"
This park is a wonderful area of woods, creek, and lake almost surrounded by Springfield suburbs. You're probably never more than a half a mile or so from "civilization," but you wouldn't know it. Several combinations of clearly marked (and mostly paved) paths give a new look every time you go. There are flowers in the spring, colors in the fall, and animals almost all the time. It's crawling with deer and of course squirrels, and we've seen woodpeckers, ducks, turkey, a huge alligator snapping turtle, and even a heron once. There's water, restrooms, and picnic tables at the welcome center, as well as handy displays to explain what you see and a nifty bird-watching room. Definitely a great way to spend an afternoon.
0 families found this helpful
"Easy nature hike"
The nature center has just under 2 miles of hiking trails (many of which are paved or highly groomed) for the family. There are some hills you have to go up and down, but it isn't too strenuous. It is not level enough for a stroller to make the full loop, but you can go to the left from the nature center with a stroller for about a 1/2 mile loop.
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