Most of the area parks allow your dogs to come too, just keep them on a leash and please bring bags to clean up after them! Check out our Parks Directory for a complete list of parks all around Central Illinois, complete with photos of the playgrounds if you are bringing your human kids too.
However, there are a few areas that have special places just for our four-legged friends. Here are our reader favorites. Thanks to Jamie S. and Dana B. for their recent additions to our list.
- Stuart Park: The official dog park in the Springfield area. There are two fenced in areas one for the big ones AND one for the little ones! springfieldparks.org/parks/stuart
- Lewis Memorial Acres is another area dogs can play and run leash free. 399 S. Koke Mill Rd. a beautiful prairie setting that covers over 40 acres of land. lewismemorialpark.org/
- Riverside Park: Dogs don’t have to be on a leash in the front part of the park. springfieldparks.org/parks/riverside
Here are a few more places that require leashes but are still great places to explore with your dog!
- New Salem Historic Site: peaceful and nice trails
- Washington Park: lots of squirrels and ducks so hold onto your leash!
- Carpenter Park: In the nature reserve part, you can have your dogs come too, but they must be on a leash and stay on the path. springfieldparks.org/parks/carpenter
- Sangchris Lake State Park: The Pheasant Run/Maple Flats Access Areas contain a dog training area for seasonal use. A permit is required. Contact the park for information at 217-498-9208 dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/SangchrisLake
