Overview

Riverside Park has 470 acres and is located on the far north side of town, west of Business Route 55 (Peoria Road). The park is bordered by the Sangamon River and Carpenter Park to its north and the railroad to the west. Mixed commercial, industrial and residential uses surround the park on the south and east sides. This park was managed by the City of Springfield before its transfer to the park district in 2002. Part of the agreement included the potential use of part of the park for wetland mitigation if required of the city.

Riverside Park consists of some upland forest and a great deal of lowland forest. Access to the park is off Sand Hill and Peoria Road from the east.

Riverside Park began development in 1965 and was heavily pushed by the mayor of the time, Nelson Howarth. The land was supplied and agreed upon by John Hunter who was the commissioner of public properties. The land was part of the local Waterworks area on the Sangamon River. The park officially opened to the public in March of 1966. Plans to extend the park and develop an additional campground in began in 1969 and cost an additional $150,000.