Southwind Park facts for kids

The Edwin Watts Southwind Park, often called Southwind Park, is a special place in Springfield, Illinois. It covers 80 acres (about 0.3 square kilometers) and is part of the Springfield Park District. This park is known for being a great example of how to make places easy to use for everyone, especially people with disabilities. It follows the rules of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which helps make sure all public places are accessible.

What Can You Do at Southwind Park?

Southwind Park has many cool things to see and do, all designed to be easy for everyone to enjoy.

Explore the Trails

The park has 2.5 miles of paved trails. These trails are smooth and wide, making them perfect for wheelchairs, strollers, bikes, or just walking. They wind through the park, leading you to different fun spots.

Play and Discover

• Tree House: There's a special tree house that you can reach using a ramp, so everyone can get up and enjoy the view.
• Playgrounds: The park has two playgrounds that are built to be easy for all kids to play on, no matter their abilities.
• Fishing Piers: If you like fishing, there are three piers where you can cast a line. These piers are also designed to be accessible for everyone.

Enjoy Music and Lights

The park features a music area called Selvaggio Arches. Every night, this spot comes alive with a cool show of sounds and lights. It's a fun way to end your day at the park!

Host an Event

Erin's Pavilion is a large hall in the park. You can rent this building for parties, meetings, or other special events. It's also designed to be accessible for all guests.

How to Get There

If you are traveling by car, the closest major highway exit is Exit 90 on Interstate 55.