8 Parks Around Jacksonville, IL You Should Check out

Parks are great places to get in touch with nature, get some exercise, and enjoy family time. Jacksonville, Illinois, is home to many beautiful parks just waiting for you to visit. Here are our top eight picks for parks around Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Community Park

Image via Flickr by Seattle Parks & Recreation 

The spacious Jacksonville Community Park is full of amenities to suit both the young and young at heart. The park is home to two large playgrounds that include a wide variety of updated equipment. Multiple soccer fields and baseball diamonds provide great spaces for pickup games with friends and family. Skateboarders can enjoy the all-new 5,000-square-foot Ron Stucker Memorial Skate Park. 

The Jacksonville Community Park is also home to the local favorite Big Eli Ferris Wheel. Big Eli was built by Eli Bridge Company in the early 1900s. Visitors can ride Big Eli for free every Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the summer months.

The park is also home to many small picnic areas, shady trees, and war memorials. Lush green lawn spaces provide plenty of room for running and playing. Jacksonville Community Park is on the corner of South Main Street and West Morton Avenue.

Emma Mae Leonhard Wildlife Sanctuary

The Emma Mae Leonhard Wildlife Sanctuary is a relaxing place to experience nature. This park is home to several wooded trails perfect for hiking, biking, jogging, birdwatching, and walking along Lake Mauvaisterre. A small butterfly sanctuary is located just inside the entrance to the park.

The Wildlife Sanctuary Trail is approximately 1.25 miles long and is a favorite among birdwatchers. Frequent feathered visitors include Canada geese, chickadees, red-bellied woodpeckers, and great blue herons. The 1.5-mile Eagle Trail includes rock obstacles, bridges, and a hilly section nicknamed the “Roller Coaster.” Raven Trail is the longest in the park at 2.25 miles and features lots of turns, beautiful scenery, and a tree balance beam. For a quick walk, check out the flat 0.65-mile Raptor Trail.

You can find the Emma Mae Leonhard Wildlife Sanctuary on East Vandalia Road.

Lake Jacksonville

Lake Jacksonville is a popular fishing spot. The 500-acre lake is most known for bass fishing, but you can also catch bluegill, sunfish, and catfish. In addition to fishing, popular lake activities include boating, water skiing, sailing, and kayaking. Campers can stay overnight at Goveia Beach from April through October. Electric hookups, fire rings, and running water are available.

Lake Jacksonville is also home to several trails that you can enjoy on foot or by bike. The Crimson and Rocket trails will take you lakeside and through the woods for approximately 1.5 miles. You can reach Lake Jacksonville at several points off of Route 267.

Nichols Park

Nichols Park covers 86 acres in the southeastern part of Jacksonville. The park is home to an Olympic-sized swimming pool that opens daily during the summer months, and visitors can also enjoy Morgan Lake and Mauvaise Terre Lake. 

Golfers can take their pick of two golf courses in Nichols Park. The Links golf course is an 18-hole course that’s one of the best public golf courses in central Illinois. For a quick game, check out the Nichols Park golf course, a smaller nine-hole course that meanders through the park.

In addition to golf, the park also offers several baseball diamonds, a roller hockey rink, playground equipment, horseshoe courts, and wide-open green spaces. There are plenty of pavilions and tables for family picnics as well. If you have a furry friend, check out the new Jacksonville PetSafe Bark Park. This dog park offers a safe space for dogs to run and play. 

You can find Nichols Park on Vandalia Road. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hours for the pool and Links golf course vary.

Duncan Park

Duncan Park is a great place to enjoy a picnic on the lawn or play on the large playground shaded by trees. The park is named after former Illinois Governor Joseph Duncan, whose home remains on the park grounds. You can visit Duncan mansion on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Suggested donations for mansion tours are $4 for adults, $2 for students ages 6 to 12, and free for kids under 7. Duncan Park is located on West State Street.

Foreman Grove

Image via Flickr by BLM Oregon & Washington 

For a little friendly competition, check out Foreman Grove, which is home to a nine-hole disc golf course, complete with tees and baskets. All you need to bring is your family and a set of discs. Little ones can also enjoy the large children’s playground area and green spaces. You can find Foreman Grove park on East College Avenue.

Central Park

Central Park is at the center of Jacksonville’s downtown area. The park’s lush green areas are cut by circular paths, perfect for a midday walk or quiet lunch spot. Repurposed Ferris wheel seats made by Eli Bridge Company serve as park benches. When you visit Central Park, be sure to check out the Civil War monument, Lincoln exhibits, and Civil War cannon on display. Central Park is also home to the unique Charters of Freedom monuments. The Charters are bronze plate replicas of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights set on limestone pillars.

Godfrey Park/Play for All Abilities Park

Godfrey Park is accessible to children of all ages and abilities. During the summer months, kids can enjoy the spray park and splash pads. A large, newly remodeled playground area provides plenty of opportunities for fun and exercise. During the summer months, the splash pad is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends from noon to 7 p.m. You can find Godfrey Park on East Greenwood Avenue in South Jacksonville.

United Chevrolet Buick GMC just shared our favorite parks in Jacksonville. Did we miss any of your favorites? If you know of a secret gem in Jacksonville, let us know, and we will add it to the list.