Washington Park Botanical Garden

10/01/2024

The carve is just around the corner! Come carve a pumpkin with us and then come search for it the next weekend at Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular.

🎃 Get Ready to Carve for the Carillon! 🎃

Join us for two days of pumpkin-carving fun at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon! Help us prep for the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular by carving pumpkins that will light up the grounds of Washington Park Botanical Garden.

Takes place October 12 & 13 from 11am to 4pm*
*Both days while supplies last!
Located at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W Fayette Ave.

Bring your creativity and let's make this year's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular shine brighter than ever! ✨

For more details, visit carillon-rees.org or call the Botanical Garden at 217-546-4116.

09/24/2024

Come have a spooky time with the park district!

Join us for a spooky adventure at the park!

We will have five different Halloween - Scavenger Hunts available at the following parks: Washington Park, Lincoln Park, Southwind Park, Stuart Park, and Kiwanis Park.

Get ready for a day filled with goblins, ghouls, and a dash of mystery. Our Halloween Park Scavenger Hunt is the perfect way to discover ghostly clues in the great outdoors!

Takes place October 4th from 9am to 5pm.

How it works:
- First join the Halloween Park Scavenger Hunt Event Page on the Springfield Park District page.
- Clue unveiling: You will receive your first clue that will set you on a spooky trail of adventure within the Halloween Park Scavenger Hunt Event Page for each park at 9 a.m. on October 4th.
- Explore the Park: Each Park’s Halloween Scavenger Hunt follows four clues scattered around the park to discover hidden treasures and chilling surprises.
- Teamwork: Work together with your partner or group to solve puzzles and conquer challenges.
- Final destination: Reach the final pumpkin in the park for a special Halloween surprise.
- Once you have reached the final fourth pumpkin, there will be instructions for a special chance to win exciting prizes!

What to Bring:
Comfortable shoes, a fully charged phone or camera, and your sense of adventure.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable Halloween experience.
Let Skip’s pumpkins lead the way!

For more information please call the Springfield Park District at 217-544-1751.

09/16/2024

Calling all fall lovers! We have a fall-themed plant workshop this weekend! Come and create your own pot of succulents and air plants as we ring in the new season ahead!

This details:
Date: Saturday, September 21st
Time: 9-10:30am
Cost: $50 Residents/$55 Non-Resident
Place: Washington Park Botanical Garden
Address: 1740 W. Fayette Ave
Springfield, IL 62704

Send a message to learn more

09/16/2024

Looking for a fun nature themed activity? Join us as we walk our grounds and look at 50 different tree varieties. Happening next Saturday, September 28th with 2 different time slots available. Can't make it to the hike because of other obligations? We do private tours as well! For more information call us at 217-546-4116.

Does your child have a leaf collection project for school this year?

Help get that homework done in a FUN, educational way with our leaf identification hike. We will be collecting over 50 leaves!

Please bring a spiral notebook, pencil, and dress for the outdoors.
Takes place Saturday, September 28th, from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
Cost is $7R/$10NR
Register at bit.ly/Leaf_ID-Trails
Activity #261109
Pre-registration and parent/adult chaperons are required.

Located at Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W Fayette Ave.
Call 217-546-4116 to sign up, or for more information!

09/04/2024

Come join Charli while we walk the grounds exploring our variety of trees for your class project or just for fun!

Does your child have a leaf collection project for school this year?

Help get that homework done in a FUN, educational way with our leaf identification hike. We will be collecting over 50 leaves!

Please bring a spiral notebook, pencil, and dress for the outdoors.
Takes place Saturday, September 28th, from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
Cost is $7R/$10NR
Register at bit.ly/Leaf_ID-Trails
Activity #261109
Pre-registration and parent/adult chaperons are required.

Located at Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W Fayette Ave.
Call 217-546-4116 to sign up, or for more information!

09/04/2024

🌿 Adventure Mondays at Washington Park Botanical Garden! 🌿

✨ Join us for a day of discovery and delight! You can enjoy peaceful strolls through our beautifully landscaped gardens and serene natural settings, or explore our captivating seasonal exhibits showcasing the best of the garden's flora! 🌸

Don’t miss out on the adventure! Join us next week for another exciting Adventure Monday! 🌿✨

08/30/2024

This Tuesday is our Rental Day 2025 at Botanical. If you are looking to book your event in one of our spaces, now is the time to jump! Our doors will open at 7:30am to start booking dates. It is strongly recommended that you come prepared with backup dates as the dates available are limited. Deposits are necessary to hold the specific date needed. We accept cash, check, or card to make this process as seamless as possible.
*Please be patient as our phones may be busy, we will respond as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
If there are any questions, please reach out to 217-546-4116.

The details again:
Rental Day 2025
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024
Starts at 7:30am
1740 W. Fayette Ave, Springfield, IL 62704
217-546-4116

08/30/2024

The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon Art Spectacular is a multi-experience festival of art, music, and children's programs!

FREE and for All Ages!

Art Spectacular is a professionally juried fine art and craft show featuring collector and museum-quality works of arts and crafts.

This event also features hourly carillon and other performances by local musicians along with food vendors, gift basket raffle, silent auction, kids art sale, and FREE Kids Art Activities from 10:00am-3:00pm

Takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 14th and 15th, from 10am to 4pm.

Located at Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W Fayette Ave, Springfield, IL.
For more information, please go to https://carillon-rees.org/

08/21/2024

🍂Discover all that autumn has to offer with the Park District's Fall Activity and Facility Guide! From special events like Carve for the Carillon and Zoolie Ghoulie to dreamy wedding rentals, ice skating, and more, there's something for everyone! 🌟

Go to www.springfieldparks.org and see all the programs and activities offered at the Springfield Park District!

Our brochure is interactive! Click on any of our activities and be taken to the registration page!

08/19/2024

Jazz up your Saturday with the Region 9 American Iris Society Plant Sale! Check out some beautiful varieties of Irises and maybe take a couple home. There will be Iris experts available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. These beauties are sure to brighten up any area they are placed.
Here's the details:
Where: Washington Park Botanical Garden Exhibit Hall
When: Saturday, August 24th
Time: 9am-12pm
Location: 1740 W. Fayette Ave Springfield, IL 62704
Hope to see you there!

08/14/2024

Last chance to grab up some beautiful daylily varieties this Saturday! Hybridized by local and member of the Central Illinois Daylily Society, Carol Reihl, these are sure to pop wherever you may plant them. Here's the details:
Where: Washington Park Botanical Garden Lobby
When: Saturday, August 17th
From: 12-2p

*Available while supplies last!*

08/07/2024

Daylily lovers, did you miss your chance to attend the Central Illinois Daylily Society Plant Sale? Here's another shot to add some beautiful daylilies to your collection. Hybridized locally by Carol Riehl, these beauties are sure to delight. Happening August 17th from 12-2p.
*While supplies last.

08/06/2024

08/02/2024

Come out to Washington Park Botanical Garden's Bug Eating Bog Workshop!

What is a bog and what plants can survive there?

Come and join us for this FUN-filled workshop and learn all about bogs. Create your own bog using carnivorous plants. Information packets will also be provided to take home!

Takes place Saturday, August 10th from 9 to 11am!
For ages 12-15

Price is $65R/$75NR
Register at bit.ly/SPD_Bog-Workshop
Activity #261114

Located at Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W Fayette Ave.
For more information please call 217-546-4116.

08/02/2024

🌸✨ Flora Fridays Are Here! 🌿🌺

Get ready to dive into the wonders of nature every Friday on the Springfield Park District's page with our exciting new 10-week series! 🌼🌟

Join us as we unveil fascinating facts and must-see highlights at the Botanical Garden. From hidden gems to stunning blooms, Flora Fridays will make your week bloom with beauty and knowledge. 🌷🌳

Kick-off next week with us, and let’s explore the garden’s vibrant secrets together! 🌿📅

07/29/2024

We have some fun in store this weekend! Come over to the Botanical Gardens and come home with some beautiful varieties of lilies. The Central Illinois Daylily Society Sale is this Saturday, August 3rd from 12-3p. WE hope to see you there!
The details:
Who: Central Illinois Daylily Society
What: Daylily Plant Sale
Where: Washington Park Botanical Garden Exhibit Hall
When: Saturday, August 3rd
From: 12-3p

07/10/2024

Wanting to add some color to your garden collection? Come join us on Saturday, July 20th from 1-4p in our exhibit hall where the Sangamon Valley Iris Society Plant Sale will be happening. Iris experts will be there to help answer any questions you may have and give you pointers to try on your own irises.

Here's the details:
Who: Sangamon Valley Iris Society
When: July 20th
Time: 1-4p
Where: Washington Park Botanical Garden
Exhibit Hall
Come check out some beautiful flowers and take one, or maybe 3 home for your own pop of color!

07/05/2024

Needing some more holiday celebration? Join us over at Erin's!

Come out to Springfield Park District Special Recreation's Independence Dance!
Free for all Ages!

Celebrate our Nation's birth with a bash!
Join the Springfield Park District for music, refreshments, and FUN!

Popcorn and drinks provided. Open to anyone of any ability.

Takes place Friday, July 5th from 7 to 9pm!

Located at Erin's Pavilion, 4965 S. 2nd Street.
For more information please contact Andre Hawkins at 217-585-2941.

06/25/2024

Going on this Saturday, June 29th! Everyone is welcome to view a beautiful collection of daylilies starting at 1:30p and going on until 3pm*.

Where: Washington Park Botanical Garden Exhibit Hall
When: June 29th
Time: 1:30-3p*

*Times dependent on judging times, etc.

06/20/2024

Just around the corner from having a chomping time! Join us here at the Botanical Garden for a day all about Venus Flytraps on July 7th from 1-3p.

06/11/2024

Want to have a low maintenance pet?

Come pot up a venus flytrap and enjoy creating flytrap themed crafts while learning all about these carnivorous plants!

Takes place July 7th from 1-3pm!

For ages 10 to 12

Price is $35R/$40NR
Register at bit.ly/SPD_Flytrap-Workshop
Activity #261113

Located at Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W Fayette Ave, Springfield, IL
For more information please Call Charli Swain at 217-546-4116 ext. 2906

06/07/2024

05/14/2024

This week we got to work with some seniors over at Concordia Village - A Lutheran Senior Services community for some plant therapy where we smelled, felt, and even tasted some plants. It was such a nice, fun time.

If interested in our outreach program, please reach out to us at 217-546-4116 and ask for Charli.

05/10/2024

Did you miss your chance to grab a FREE milkweed plant last saturday? Have no fear, you have another chance this Saturday! Join us at Enos Park from 9-11a and again at Erins Pavilion from 1-3p to learn why milkweed is important to our pollinators and grabbing your own plant to help spread the good. See you there!

🦋 Celebrate Your Neighborhood Park Pollinator Garden with a Milkweed Giveaway coming this weekend!! 🐝

You'll be able to...
- Meet your neighborhood pollinator garden & Parks foundation volunteers
- Learn all about planting milkweed & importance of pollinator gardens
- Take home your free milkweed!
- Learn how you can help with your neighborhood park pollinator garden

*****
Saturday, May 11th
Park Pollinator Garden Supporters:
Meet us at -
9:00am-11:00am | Enos Park - Neighborhood Garden *with the Enos Park Neighborhood Association
1:00pm-3:00pm | Erin’s Pavilion - Entrance of Building

For more info go to: springfieldparksfoundation.org
Springfield Parks