Centennial Park + SVT

Centennial Park, located on the far southwest side of Springfield, encompasses 190 acres and was added to the park district in 1997. The park features a 70-acre prairie restoration on the west side of the Sangamon Valley Trail. The Friends of the Sangamon Valley help maintain the prairie by leading prescribed burns, exotic species removal and other stewardship activities.

We will explore the winding grassy paths through the prairie restoration area before making our way onto the Sangamon Valley Trail. We will finish off with a jaunt through Centennial Park itself, including a climb up the infamous sledding hill!

We'll meet in the small parking lot at the SVT trailhead at the far southwest corner of the park. If we have a large group, (which we usually do), then that parking lot will probably not be big enough, so you may find yourself parking at the larger lot about 200 yards away and walking to meet us.

Apres-hike location: Mimosa, 4201 Wabash Ave, just a few minutes from the parking lot at Centennial. There will be a separate Meetup event to sign up for this.