PARKS & RECREATION

PARKS

CENTRAL PARK PLAZA, located in the center of the city's historic downtown. A beautiful newly refurbished Civil War monument highlights this area of constant activity. Current construction will be opening up the plaza for more easy access.

DEWEY PARK - South Jacksonville, located at Dewey Drive and South West Street, has four tennis courts, playground equipment, and picnic facilities. www.southjacksonville.org

DUNCAN PARK, located in the 1200 block of West State Street. The Duncan Mansion, home of former Illinois Governor Joseph Duncan, stands at the north center of the park.

EMMA MAE LEONHARD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY & NATURE TRAIL, East Vandalia Road, 1/4 mile long nature trail with other side trails along Lake Mauvaisterre. The trail is suitable for hiking, biking, jogging or viewing local wildlife and plant life. The Nature Trail includes tree identification signs.

GODFREY PARK, PLAY-FOR-ALL PARK, South Jacksonville, located at Greenwood Avenue and Hardin Avenue, is an extraordinary free playground with a splash pad and water features, where children with and without disabilities can learn together through play. This is a unique barrier-free play environment. A covered picnic area is perfect for family gatherings. www.southjacksonville.org

JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITY PARK is the newest park in the Jacksonville parks system. Located on 60 acres at the intersection of Main Street and Morton Avenue, this park is equipped with playground equipment, picnic areas and large, shady playgrounds, and a historic Eli Bridge Ferris wheel. Large soccer fields occupy the southern portion of this lovely park. A brand new Skate Park is located on the east edge of the park.

JACKSONVILLLE SKATE PARK inside Jacksonville Community Park, is a new facility featuring a 5,000-square-foot concrete pad with 10 pieces of equipment including; grind boxes, grind rails, 1/4 pipes and 1/2 pipes.

KIWANIS PARK, located in the northeast section of the city, this park is equipped with a baseball field, playground equipment and a large, paved play area.

NICHOLS PARK, the largest of the parks, covers 86 acres in southeast Jacksonville and offers an Olympic-size swimming pool. A large, well-equipped playground lies on the south side of the park. Along with The Links, an additional 9-hole golf course winds through the park. There are horseshoe courts, ball parks, gazebos and picnic facilities big enough for any family reunion.

VETERANS PARK, located near the Illinois School for the Deaf, 124 City Place. It has two tennis courts and picnic facilities, and features a new dog park.

RECREATION

BUENA VISTA FARMS, 3 miles northwest of Jacksonville on Hwy 67 North, features a 12-station sport clay shooting range with 24 target presentations. Buena Vista also offers a 4-acre fully stocked pond and other recreational opportunities on a 145-acre farm. www.buenavistafarms.org

EIGHT-WHEELER ROLLER RINK, 1204 Lincoln Avenue, provides roller skating fun for the whole family (217) 243.6464.

FITNESS WORLD HEALTH CLUB, 1521 West Walnut Street, has a mission of building communtiy awareness and educating the Jacksonville area on the importance of fitness and healthy living. Facilities include; swimming pool, racquetball courts, cardio room, toning & cardio classes and childcare services. www.fwhc.biz

JACKSONVILLE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB, 1021 New Lake Road, offers trap and sporting clay shooting, both registered and practice, rifle and pistol ranges. Open to the public. 217.245.5010 or 245.5615.

LENZ FIELD and LENZ SPORTS COMPLEX, 5 Kelly Street, the premier tournament location for competitive teams from all over the Midwest. Lenz Field contains 4 state of the art synthetic youth baseball and softball fields. Recent additions include the Lenz Sport Complex which includes 3 fields, dugouts and concession stand. www.lenzfield.com

MORGAN COUNTY SPEEDWAY is a high-banked dirt oval track. Classes: Sprints, Micro-Sprints, Street Stock, Pony Stock. Morgan County Fairgrounds, Lafayette at Westgate. Season: April-October. Race Days: Friday Nights.

SHEPP'S SPEEDWAY, 3201 Old Route 36 - Alexander, weekly seasonal dirt track racing. Season: April-October. Race Days: Sunday Nights. www.sheppsspeedway.com

SHERWOOD EDDY MEMORIAL YMCA is one of the finest recreational facilities in Jacksonville. It has an indoor swimming pool, large gymnasium, handball and racquetball courts, tennis court, softball, soccer and football fields, and a private health club. The "Y" also gives classes in aerobics, swimming, gymnastics and many other areas of fitness and sponsors teen dances and a preschool program. For other private fitness and health clubs, please call the Bureau for further information. www.jacksonvilleymca.org