Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park — Attraction in Springfield

This park is probably one of my favorites, as far as parks go, ever! It is amazing. It's one large park, comprised of several smaller areas (that have different names, to them) within the park. I love it so much - because no matter where you go, you feel like you're in a whole different park, with a whole different environment and foliage.

Nathaneal Greene Park is also home to the Botanical Center of Springfield. It's a super neat nature center, with lots of awesome things, information, events, and even a rooftop-ish patio and gift shop.

There is an old Schoolhouse, as well as an old 1800's house and farmstead setup, which is really cool - especially when they open them up, or you can go in and tour them, or when they have an event, utilizing them.

Neighboring Nathaneal Greene Park is the Mizumoto Japanese Garden, which is a breathtaking sight, in and of itself! You won't want to miss the annual Japanese Fall Festival which is an amazing event that I never like to miss. #worthit To get to the Japanese Garden, you drive into Nathaneal Greene Park, go to the left, and drive to the back, out near where the schoolhouse and homestead are. There's a decent sized parking lot back there, which is also a great place to start on one of the multiple trails that exist within the park.

There's an area, Close Memorial (I believe is the name of that section of the park, that resembles the foliage and that of a Japanese style garden, containing several evergreen type trees, a bridge with a teeny pond, and gravel pathways that weave in and out between and amongst the trees. It's fun to just run around and feel like you're in a bit of a forest.

There are two pavilions, at least 2 waterfountains, several areas with beautiful flower gardens, at least 2 larger playgrounds, and multiple other stops with plays capes for kids. One of the most beautiful things at the park (to me, anyway) is the gorgeous pond, and the bridge with the lovely waterfall, that faces Scenic Avenue.

This park is a MUST SEE/MUST EXPERIENCE kind of park. There's a ton of space, lots of events planned within the community, and so many fun areas to explore.

Park closes at Sunset, so make sure you can get to your car, before the gates to the...

This is the best park in Springfield, contains the Japanese botanical gardens which has a sister Garden in Japan and it's the showcase of the Springfield Master Gardeners Society. it's a garden for every season, it has an iris Garden in Spring and Lily Garden during the summer it's got a butterfly house surrounded by a butterfly garden a walking or jogging path circles a beautiful Pond that empties out into two waterfalls that pass in tandem with the walking path below Scenic rd in the same spot that it passes underneath an old iron railroad bridge. The waterfall in the two under passes are all on the west side of the park which make the sunsets phenomenal from the east side of the lake. There's a awesome grass garden, there's a herb garden, there's a water feature, a hasta garden sheltered underneath the shade from a manicured grove of tall oak and walnut trees. During the warm months they are constantly events going on and there's also the original homested that contains the first house built in Springfield. There's something for everybody here. I've been coming to this park for years and it never gets old I always look forward to it. If you like to live on the wild side you can make your way into the park by way of the jogging path that passes under Scenic rd after dark when the main gate is closed, figure out how to get on top of the railroad bridge and enjoy some really cool views when the moon is full but don't tell anybody I told you; also don't blame me if you get in trouble and for god sakes don't try to sue anybody if you hurt yourself. See...

Absolutely beautiful location for a stroll or important event. Specifically the stroll garden. Had the signing of my wedding certificate here 4/3/21 @ 12:34 pm (A Saturday lunch on Easter weekend). Parking wasn't too difficult (multiple locations if one is full) Very friendly staff, many different aesthetic pleasing places for meditation or inspiration to find enjoyable to the senses. Found invigorating and also relaxing simultaneously. All for 4 bucks per adult and open from about sunrise to sunset so plenty of time to spend the day or work with even a strict schedule. Even met a very friendly goose and saw plenty of wildlife from turtles sunbathing to bird of many varieties and even a decent amount of butterflies. The perfect time in spring to catch the blooming of the cherry blossoms that were very well blended throughout, just enough to change the sights yet not too many too overpower the indigenous foliage! Couldn't be happier to have happened upon this location...was unable to get everyone to Eureka Springs was first upset until then and ended up being completely satisfied and overjoyed with the site and experience! Thank you to those who designed and...