washington park botanical gardens

I like the road there it is wide enough for cars , joggers, children, dogs and people walking. I like feeding ducks there.. I like sitting on the bench watching the beautiful lake, trees and birds.

Attended a wedding at the Botanical Garden and the grounds were beautiful. If you are looking for a peaceful outing, this is the place.

Washington Park is a great place to walk, play on playgrounds, tour the botanical gardens, listen to the carillon, bike, play tennis or pickle ball, hear concerts in the summer, see weddings, feed the ducks, rest and relax and just generally enjoy the lovely location

We walk in Washington Park each time we come - this time for the tree colors - the roses still are in bloom. We also feed the ducks and geese.

After seeing some of the areas of Springfield that are run down, it was definitely a sight for sore eyes. Gorgeous flowers and paths to walk along. It is nothing extremely spectacular but if you are in the area and like nature it's worth the visit because it's free. When we visited the inside was not opened but they seemed to have more info and possibly maybe even some sort of activities.

The flower beds were beautiful. The water fountain was a little scary to look at the water. But pretty fountain.

Took our girl scout group here to burn off steam after driving for six hours. Kids loved the play area and had a great time running around. They enjoyed making sand castles in the sand box. Area had both portable potties and on site bathrooms located near park. Had a good amount of picnic tables near the play area and covered pavilion. Driving around the park it was very pretty.

We rented the Exhibition Hall at the Botanical Gardens as the setting for our wedding and reception. We couldn't have been more pleased. The price was very reasonable, and the room is lovely with views of the Botanical Gardens in the background. Alexa and her staff were exceptionally helpful and patient. Besides a good selection of chairs and tables to set up as you like, there is a sound system, a refrigerator and a sink you may use. The ceiling is hung with grapevines entwined with white lights--very pretty when lit. The room has its own thermostat--very helpful for our July wedding. Various lights, some with dimmers you can adjust to get just the look you want. Besides the main room there is a small display room--we used it for a memorial display for deceased family. There are also bricks you can use to create small installations or--as we saw when we first visited after Christmas--paths. You may bring your own food, and alcohol is allowed. If you want a venue where someone else will do all the set-up and decoration, this is not for you. If you're a budget planner and/or do-it-yourselfer, this is a great site. The Hall holds about 120 people max. We had about 75. We had room for a small dance floor and three food tables and the guest tables were not crowded. Be sure to take some time to wander the grounds and even climb the carillon.

While the flower beds were nicely done, there was no staff in evidence to answer questions, give guidance, etc. even though the main building was open and it was during scheduled hours. Nice quiet spot to relax.

Washington Park is a lovely swath of green on the west side of Springfield. The gardens are beautiful, with several pieces of sculpture and outbuildings providing contrast to the plantings. Nestled in Washington Park, the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon was a lovely point of interest during our time in Springfield. We were there on a Sunday, so we toured the carillon with the young man who plays the instrument; it was well worth the $3.50 admission to watch him at the keyboard (much like a grand organ), playing a piece or two in the afternoon. We then returned for the free concert at 7:00 that evening, and he played several pieces written specifically for the Carillon. It was a restful and restorative time, sitting on a bench in the park and listening to the lovely tones of the bells waft over our heads.

...the pedestrians are horrible! They have marked lanes for vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles. The pedestrians often walk or run in the vehicle lane or right on the white line marking the vehicle lane...even when there is no one else in the lane! I like to take drives through the park but the walkers and runners are complete idiots! We had a runner, running down the middle of the vehicle lane...he heard us approach and slowly moved to pedestrian lane...we slowed down as we went by him because instead of getting further into the lane...he ran on the white line! He then screamed at us to "get the f@#$ over". We have had problems with pedestrians running and walking in the vehicle lane and refusing to move EVERY time we have driven through the park! There is a police department in the park and they need to address this as it is a SERIOUS problem. You can bet if vehicles were driving in the pedestrian lane, pedestrians would be blowing a gasket. They are the rudest people I have met in my whole life! They are hostile and VERY confrontational. If this was an isolated event I would not be writing this...we drive through 3-4 times a week and it has happened EVERY TIME.

This is a little slice of relief in the middle of Springfield. The lawns and gardens are immaculate and is a great place for a walk or an afternoon with a magazine and picnic. The Carillon bell tower is really cool if you are around when they have a concert or show.

The botanical gardens are ok.. but not great. Very typical for Springfield... something to go to, but I would brag about 'em.They don't have the budget or facilities as some other midwestern gardens, so don't expect anything on the scale as St. Louis or Chicago.

My dad and I visited Springfield over the weekend and had time to squeeze visiting this place in. If I had more time or lived in the area I would love to walk the trails with my dog. The gardens are very pretty, but most of the place was closed up when we went because it was Sunday. Oh well. Still a nice place.

Nice greenhouse and grounds. A little walking path , through the grounds and the rose garden .Good place to go on a nice day.