Parks & Outdoors

Room to Move Around

People weren’t meant to spend their entire lives cooped up. We crave fresh air, green spaces, and sunshine, a chance to bask in the warm embrace of the great outdoors. And, OK fine, a lack of sand and palm trees set us apart from that other, swampier Jacksonville, but here you’ll find the wide-open spaces of our city provide ample opportunity to enjoy the natural tranquility of Central Illinois. Take a break in our beautiful city parks. Launch a kayak in Lake Mauvaisterre and spend some quality time paddling across the calm waters. Enjoy in the thrill of the best bass fishing in the state at Lake Jacksonville.

Statue in a park in Downtown Jacksonville

Featured Outdoor Places and Spaces


Bark Park
Listing Title
Address
894 East Vandalia
Jacksonville, IL 62650
Hours
Open Daily: 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Big Eli Ferris Wheel
Listing Title
Address
Community Park
Morton Avenue & Main Street
Hours
Sundays 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
June 2 - September 29
Available for private parties, contact Gina Hayes 618.946.3773
Central Park
Listing Title
Address
In Downtown Jacksonville, at the intersection of State and Main Street.
Hours
Sunrise until 10:00 PM
Crimson & Rocket Recreational Trail
Address
2184 S. Lake Road, Jacksonville, IL
Hours
Sunday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday & Saturday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Duncan Park
Listing Title
Address
1200 block of West State Street
Jacksonville, Illinois 62650
Hours
Open until 10:00 PM
Foreman Grove Park – Disc Golf Course
Address
2113 East College Avenue
Jacksonville, Illinois 62650
Hours
Closes at Dusk
Green Pastures Christian Retreat Center
Address
1936 US Highway 67
Meredosia, IL 62665
Jacksonville Community Park
Address
1309 South Main Street
Jacksonville, Illinois 62650
Jacksonville Skate Park
Address
Located in Community Park near the South Main Street park entrance
Kayak Rentals
Listing Title
Address
Located at Lake Mauvaiseterre across from Nichols Park.
Hours
Sunup to Sundown
Lake Jacksonville
Listing Title
Address
Three miles south of Jacksonville off Route 267.
Links Golf Course
Listing Title
Address
319 Holkenbrink Drive
Jacksonville, Illinois 62650
Nichols Park
Listing Title
Address
110 Holkenbrink Drive
Jacksonville Il 62650
Nichols Park Golf Course
Address
Nichols Park
Park Road
Jacksonville, Illinois 62650
Veterans Park
Listing Title
Address
124 City Place
Jacksonville, Illinois 62650
Hours
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM