Location: #1 Carpenter Park Trail (IL 124 & Business Loop I-55), Springfield. North on Peoria Rd. toward Sherman.
Playground: Playground Surface:
Picnic Area: Yes
Shelter/Pavillion: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Nature Features: Plants & Wildlife, Trails, Paths, Hiking
Water Features: Sangamon River Fishing
Carpenter Park is located on the north side of town, west of Business Route 55 (Peoria Road). The Sangamon River forms its south boundary and a golf course and residential area lie to the north. To the west across the railroad right-of-way is Gurgens Park.
Carpenter Park is largely a wooded area near the Sangamon River. Vehicular access is from Peoria Road. A winding park road leads to a clearing with a parking lot, historic stone shelter, a picnic area and a map. This area serves visitors to the park and it provides basic trail head facilities for the trail system within the park.
The park is primarily used for hiking and nature observation. Friends of Sangamon Valley, the Sierra Club and other groups conduct work days at the park to plant native species and control invasive plants. Part of the park is an Illinois Nature Preserve with management guidelines established by the IL Nature Preserves Commission.
