I enjoyed walking around the trails of this park. Leaves are everywhere and easy to kick around. I liked to read the benches and take pictures to remember for later. The lake is nice to sit by and relax. Parking can be tricky, very few pull in spots off the main road or there is a lot across the street.

Great place to watch fall colors, short drive from Springfield, space for parking, has great view on the lake.

We love visiting Lincoln Memorial Garden. The hiking/walking paths are lovely & well kept. Beautiful next to the lake. We enjoy seeing all the wildlife! We attended a Maple syrup class put on out there & the kiddos loved the experience.

I enjoyed all things nature this Summer. This was an awesome addition!

Beautiful place to take a walk all the trees were changing so we had a great day

We visited as a family. The children brought their electronic devices to take photos and perhaps enter the photo contest. We also had a scavenger hunt using the cameras to photo an insect, bird, leaf, flower, etc. Paths are maintained and there is a map. You are mostly in shade. It is along Lake Springfield so there is some water habitat, too. Not sure the Lincoln connection was made but the nature and family connection definitely happened. Nature center not open due to Covid-19.

My favorite place to go every time I visit Springfield. It’s so beautiful and I love the honey sticks at the store too!

This is a very great place to take a walk. Nice & quiet. Beautiful trail you can see the lake. Just enjoy yourself.

We have attended the annual sausage & pancake breakfast for years. Food is always delicious, sausage is cooked outdoors over an open fire. Pancakes made fresh on site by volunteers. Maple syrup is pure fresh maple. They actually tap trees on site which is visible as walk I g to the main building. Additionally they offer a silent auction which is always different since items are often donated for this fundraiser. Its a great time to enjoy breakfast and the take a relaxing walk around the various trail systems.

My favorite little slice of heaven in Springfield. It brings me such peace, joy, and serenity.

A beautiful place to connect with nature. I love taking pictures of sunrises & sunsets, this is one of my favorite places to do this from.

Great place to take a walk. The forest softens the noise and the sounds of the lake are relaxing.

This is a wonderful place to walk alone or with other people.

Its a beautiful natural area with an educational center and gift shop.

A great place for nature walking and enjoying Lake Springfield. Theres enough trails that it never feels crowded. Possible to see deer.

Excellent place for people of all ages and abilities to get into nature. Beautiful scenery along the lake with nicely shaded fairly flat trails. Even or small kiddos were able to do most of the walking without being carried.

Nice photo set up for Christmas pictures

Nice historical spot with well-manicured trails. It is alongside lake Springfield. I especially enjoyed the quotes on the benches.

Took a long walk around the property. Estimate 10,000 snow geese on the lake. Awesome sight! Visitor center was fun to visit. Staff was knowledgeable and nice to visit with. A good thing to do on a sunny winter day!

Its a nice hike on a cool fall day.

Fabulous place. Great walking /jogging trails, lake views, shady on a hot day.

For what it has and what it is, it does it well. Navigable trails of mostly wood-chips. Along the lakefront. Picnics allowed. Restrooms in nature center during open hours and in prairie area. NO DOGS (try Carpenter Park).

Amazing way to spend an afternoon!

It was very nice! The weather was perfect for it! Our girl scout troop was very happy.

Great trails and visitor center. The times posted are for the visitor center, the trails are open sunup to sundown. Easily navigated and fun to view the wildlife that always seem to be abundant when we visit. Added plus is lots of pokestops if you play pokemon go!

Nice walking trails. Beautiful views of Lake Springfield. It would be a nice place to spend an afternoon or evening.

Nice place to walk everything shut down is why only 4 stars

We went to the Maple Syrup tapping demo and it was VERY informative. It gave me the urge to tap for some of my own syrup!

Love my day with all my ladies

I absolutely love this place. You can get away from the buildings and cars and connect with nature for a while.Ive seen deer, countless birds, squirrels and chipmunks.The paths through the woods let you relax and escape every day life. Its great to go with family and kids too. My son loves walking through and reading the quotes on the benches. There is also an amazing building with information and great gifting ideas.Theres a tree that has a vast collection of initials....we call it the LOVE tree. I recommend going, relaxing, connect with nature and see if you can find the LOVE tree!

What a nice Hidden Gem in Springfield Illinois its great for walking around theres also a nice jogging loop I cant wait to go back and Jog

I have enjoyed this garden all my life. It is such a relaxing place to hike and relax....

We are so lucky to have this beautiful reserve. One of my earliest memories after moving here from Chicago 50 years ago was an event at this garden. Back then the Lutheran seminary was located here. I sang in the choir. Dan Ruening, the director, arranged for the choir to come to the garden one early morning and sing. Standing along the path amid the trees and singing was a remarkable experience I’ll never forget. The Foundation runs the site wonderfully. Many thanks to the volunteers who contribute their time and energy to this amazing place.

Beautiful trails and garden.

Beautiful, even in late winter!! Great Cub Scout walk this evening!!

Nice garden area with multiple trails. The Visitor Center was pleasant and staff was helpful with maps and interesting information about the history of the area and suggestions for future visits.

One of my favorite nature spots. Its a quiet and well maintained nature conservancy. It isnt a Garden in the traditional sense of well maintained flower beds and topiary. Instead, it has been allowed to grow as a wild woodland in one section, and prairie grass in another. A great place fpr photography and other contemplative activities.

It is beautiful and peaceful... I absolutely loved it!

Great place to enjoy nature

We stopped here to stretch our legs and have lunch. Highly recommend the lake trail, find a bench, and eat lunch while looking out at the water

Great for a leisurely walk.

Such a beautiful place!

Great place to hike.

Great gift shop and varied terrain. I have loved coming here to walk in every season for years

Great shady paths for walking in the woods.

Great Biology Leaf collection hike today!

Beautiful scenery.

We actually got lost here. Nice park to walk to get fresh air.

The Garden is so beautiful and peaceful. And the volunteers there are so helpful. During their plant sale Larry a master gardner helped me so much to know which plants best for my needs. So lucky to have this in our area and tended so well.

I love nature so much. Sometimes I wish there wasnt a curfew so I could enjoy the woods at night in my own town. I dont like camping... walking around with a small torch sounds fun tho.

One of my absolute favorite places in all of Springfield. Serene and full of beauty everywhere you look. I have been going since I was a child and I am looking forward to passing it on to my own.

I attended one of the Saturday bird walks and it was a first time for me to attend. I was welcomed by staff inside and the others attending the walk were also very friendly. I’ll definitely return to this nature center for more bird walks and just to enjoy the beauty .

A wonderful place to hike and a lovely shop on the grounds as well.Check out their festivals. They do a great pancake fundraiser in the spring. Truly delicious food and so much to learn while youre there.Peaceful nature and the lake is adjoining the trails.Beautiful Cypress trees near the water too.Prairie areas to explore.Plenty of parking and a worthwhile place to spend some time.

Great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors

Great learning and perfect day for the maple syrup experience!

I did not go to the craft sale last year but was extremely disappointed this year. They charged $8 to get in, which wouldnt have been a big deal if there were allot of vendors there, which there was not. They mentioned there would be food trucks...there was one. On the lighter side I got a beautiful handmade bowl and plate. The vendor was really sweet.

Nice paths to walk & see many things.

Been going since I was two. Still find something new every time I go. Very beautiful. Very quiet. Gift shop is fun. Would recommend the candy sticks.

I absolutely loved the nature walk. Its so calming and peaceful and helps you relax. I would recommend to anyone

Very nice walking trails. Visitor center has some nice displays. Well worth your time to visit.

Best place to go walking and bird watching, got to love the quiet

Love it very peaceful

Beautiful trails next to lake. Wildlife observation.

The park was landscaped by Jens Jensen, one of America’s greatest Landscape Architects. He also designed many parks in Chicago and other private designs such as the Henry Ford estate outside of Detroit. Mr. Jensen was an immigrant from Denmark. His story is fascinating. He believed in using natural materials and plants.

A must see location. For nature, birds and wildlife. A beautiful setting all 4 seasons

I have driven by the gardens a number of times in the last year and always wanted to stop in. Today my fiance and I finally made a point to go for a walk. The area is beautiful and a wonderful place for a short or long stroll and the people working in the center are very helpful and knowledgeable. So you know ahead of time dogs are not allowed in the park.

Highly recommend you visit especially in the Fall.

Absolutely beautiful any time of the year. Quiet and serene. A great place to go and feel immersed in nature.

Just love. Thanks for taking care of the Garden! Thank you.

A beautiful, well kept, park! The trails are filled with flowers and historical benches. The rings through out the garden are so cool and the wildlife. My favorite place is the little beach on the lake!

Very beautiful and serene. Perfect place to go if you need some relaxation time and need to unwind. The staff are wonderful too, very helpful and easy to talk to.

Cool place

BEAUTIFUL!! We were visiting Springfield and wanted to find a place to be outside for a while. While the hiking is not rugged in the least, the paths do meander through some beautiful scenery and along a peaceful lake shore. We saw several kinds of birds (and enjoyed their tunes), and were lulled to relaxation by the calming sounds of little streams that run through the property. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Abe Lincoln quotes that grace the many benches that dot the pathways, offering plenty of opportunities to sit and enjoy the setting.As we walked, we ran into a family and struck up a conversation. Turns out they live very nearby and they were so pleasant and welcoming to us. The Lincoln Memorial Gardens are a gem and a treasure, not only to that community, but to anyone who might make their way for a walk in nature.Thank you to the caretakers and to those who saw the value in creating such a tranquil place.

Nice day interesting program

Founded in the 1930s by Womens Garden Clubs nationally, this is a woodland nature center dedicated to President Lincoln..There are miles of wooded paths and beautiful views, a visitors lodge where educational programs are offered.Most special are many wooden park benches along the paths. Each with a carved quotation of Lincoln.Open seven days a week from ten AM til ten PM. No admission charge.

A beautiful drive out to the gardens !

Lovely natural habitat gardens. Great for bird watching, leisurely walking or sitting and enjoying nature. Sits on lake Springfield. Lots of shady and sunny spots everywhere.

Nice area with good walking trails.

Nature preserve, nice trails, lovely and quiet on the lake

Beautiful serene setting. Well maintained easy to navigate trails. Great place to relax.

Right by lake Springfield. Clean trails

I always love it here. Its beautiful and you can find some pretty special spots if you look.

Absolutely natural surroundings. Very green.

Its a nice quiet nature walk but not really a garden. Trails are well marked

Peaceful

Nice place to walk.

Great place to walk and take in all the beauties nature has to offer. Nice gift shop at the main building. Fun events all year long!

Today was a butterfly release class. Heart warming, one of many things that happen out here. Check it out its worth it...

Love the trails. I run there, relaxing seeing deer, just all the nature.

Very cool, los of fun

Beautiful area of land with winding trails around Lake Springfield. Great place to walk or run and good for kids.

Lovely place to walk, excellent trails.

One of my favorite spots to visit and relax

Been doing art events for this place for at less 15 to 20 years and probably will not be there in 2019 because organizing is pepole is very bad. Ive had my spot for the longest.

This place is gorgeous!

Always a beautiful place for a walk/run

Nature walks along the shore of Lake Springfield.

The Gardens were a very pleasant surprise. It was our first visit and we really enjoyed walking the trails and stopping at the visitors center.

The memorial gardens trail was well-kept & allowed me to walk at an even pace. If you were to walk the entire loop, starting eastward like I did, eventually when you near the conclusion of the hike the last 1/4 mile is downhill. Starting out on the loop going westward, then, the first part would be uphill. Depending on your physicality the direction you go would determine how difficult it would be to go the whole distance.I brought my mountain bike, but noted right away / theres a sign posted near the entrance saying bikes (amongst other traverse modes) are not allowed.There is not a washroom facility on the path. Relieve yourself elsewhere before you arrive or head straight to the nature center (west of entrance).

Always a beautiful walk in the woods