Forest Park covers 735 acres on Springfield’s south side, one of the largest municipal parks in New England and the green lung of the city. Its layout was drawn in the 1880s by the Olmsted firm (Frederick Law Olmsted himself served on the Park Commission until 1886), with winding drives and a chain of ponds that still define the park today.
What’s inside
- Zoo at Forest Park: an accredited small zoo, seasonal; home to more than 225 animals including a bald eagle, bobcat, camel, and assorted farm animals.
- Rose garden: a formal rose garden on the park’s west side, peak bloom in mid-June.
- Porter Lake: the central pond, with a seasonal duck-feeding area, paddle boats in summer, and ice skating when it freezes.
- Trails and drives: miles of paved loop roads (partially closed to cars at peak times) and informal woodland trails along the park’s southern perimeter.
What to know
- Hours: city parks, including Forest Park, are open dawn to dusk; the Zoo runs its own schedule.
- Vehicle fee: the city lists daily Forest Park vehicle entry at $3 for in-state plates and $5 for out-of-state plates, cash only.
- Bright Nights: the park hosts a drive-through holiday lights display from late November through early January, a Springfield institution since 1995.
- Leashed dogs welcome.