The parks owned and operated by CWLP are listed below. Some of these parks or park facilities have been designed with the needs of individuals with disabilities in mind, and this is explained in each section. Most of the parks are closed between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., although certain reserved facilities may be kept open as late as midnight. East and West Tom Madonia Parks close at 9 p.m.
Maps and Documents

CWLP has been working with organizations like the Monarch Joint Venture™, Illinois Monarch Action Plan, and Mayors Monarch Pledge™ to establish monarch butterfly habitats, also known as waystations, that provide monarchs with shelter, milkweed, and other pollinator plants to help in their migration.

There are several monarch waystations around Lake Springfield, including the Sunset View, Orchard Lane waystations, and the demonstration butterfly garden next to Tom Madonia Park. These waystations provide monarchs with shelter, milkweed, and other pollinator plants to help in their migration. Pollinator gardens that include Milkweed plants, which are low maintenance and provide great erosion control benefits for the Lake Springfield area.

Lake Springfield Monarch Habitat Map

PMC I-Pollinate Garden

Community involvement is critical for Monarch conservation. CWLP Land & Water Resources staff have reached out to inner-city schools and given presentations on the importance of Monarch conservation; providing students with Milkweed seed packets for their gardens. These staff helped schools establish pollinator gardens and participated in events, like Earth Awareness Fair, to help give community members milkweed seeds.

In 2022, CWLP implemented an I-Pollinate pollinator garden to the plot next to CWLP’s Property Management Center in partnership with the University of Illinois community science research initiative. This program collects state-wide pollinator data, and submits that data into an online database. One project collects data on monarch eggs and caterpillar abundance, pollinator visitation to ornamental flowers, and state bee demographics. For more information on how to participate in this research initiative, email ipollinate@illinois.edu.

Interested in being involved in CWLP’s Monarch projects? Contact Quentin Jordan at 217.757.8660 x1026, or via email at Quentin.Jordan@cwlp.com.

About Monarchs & Sustainability

Monarch conservation is crucial for the ecosystem and human food system sustainability. Many of the plants needed for pollinator gardens, including milkweed plants, have low maintenance and provide great erosion control benefits. The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) population has decreased by 90% over the past two decades. Habitat loss, excessive use of pesticides, climate change, anthropogenic interactions, and climate change all threaten monarchs. Without pollinators like the monarch, there will be irreversible damage to the ecosystem and the future sustainability of the human food supply.

The life cycle of the monarch is fascinating. It takes approximately one month for the egg to become an adult butterfly. As a caterpillar, monarchs will only eat milkweed plants. Luckily, there are over 100 species of milkweed plants all native to North America. Unfortunately, due to landscaping practices, a majority of milkweed plants are destroyed. Without the milkweed plant, the Monarchs’ life cycle will be interrupted. The Monarch butterfly migrates from North America to Mexico. A migratory generation lasts about 9 months. During this time, the monarch butterflies will undergo at least 3 life cycles before reaching Mexico. It is important that they have the necessary food and shelter to make the migratory trip. Aside from milkweed plants, adult monarch butterflies need access to pollinator plants too.

What You Can Do

Each fall the monarch butterfly migrates from North America to Mexico and during that trip it is important that they have the necessary food and shelter. Monarchs cannot survive without milkweed; their caterpillars only eat milkweed plants and monarch butterflies need milkweed to lay their eggs. With shifting land management practices, much milkweed has disappeared from landscapes. The Monarch Joint Venture™ recommends planting milkweed to support monarch populations and their migration. Planting milkweed is a great way to help other pollinators too, as they provide valuable nectar resources to a diverse suite of bees and butterflies.

Center Park is 30.96 acres. It is located just off East Lake Shore Drive, on Long Bay Drive, across the street from Henson Robinson Zoo. This park is the site of the Beach House, which is available for rent to the public. Center Park is the site of the brand new, ADA-compliant, unique, woodland/water-themed Bounties of Nature playground that offers accessibility to children and their caregivers, regardless of physical ability. The park also contains a volleyball sand pit, five softball diamonds and a large, open grassy area. In addition, it has two small pavilions near the Beach House, each accommodating 10-15 people, and a pavilion, located adjacent to accessible restrooms and the Bounties of Nature Playground, that was designed specifically for use by persons in wheelchairs or with other mobility restrictions. The park also has four uncovered picnic areas, each accommodating 75 people. A boat launch, particularly suited for sailboats but open to all watercraft, is located on the shore of Center Park, just north of the Beach House. This launch is wheelchair accessible. North of the launch is a multi-slip boat dock and fishing area, which is also wheelchair accessible. Permanent handicap-accessible restroom facilities are available spring through fall in the Center Park playground area.

Center Park is also the site of a "sailboat" launch/dock located in Center Park, north of the Beach House, and Center Park Harbor, located behind the main play and picnic area of Center Park. The sailboat launch (which can also be used by other types of watercraft) and Center Park Harbor both have docks that are accessible by wheelchair. Center Park Harbor also has accessible fishing piers. A recently renovated permanent ADA-compliant restroom is also available at here. A small concrete accessible picnic shelter is located in Center Park. In early 2015, CWLP built a new ADA-compliant playground at Center Park. The woodland/water-themed design, unique to the Springfield area, is accessible to children regardless of their abilities. Named the Bounties of Nature after a quote by long-time CWLP Commissioner Willis J. Spaulding, the playground was officially opened in March 2015.

Directions to Center Park

1. Go east on Stevenson Drive and pass the power plant. If accessing Stevenson Drive from the interstate, take exit 94 off I-55 (East Lake Shore Drive exit) and turn left at the top of the off-ramp. Cross Spaulding Dam to East Lake Shore Drive and continue past Lincoln Greens Golf Course and through the curve that sweeps along the shore of the lake. After the curve, the road straightens out. A short way ahead, you'll see a sign for Henson Robinson Zoo on your right. At this sign, turn right onto Long Bay Drive. The park will be on your right. Multiple turnoffs, providing access to different areas of the park, are located along Long Bay Drive.
2. Take West Lake Shore Drive south from Stevenson Drive and follow the road for about 4.5 miles. After rounding a sharp turn, West Lake Shore Drive will run into Long Bay Drive (West Lake Shore will veer off to the right). Continue straight (east) onto Long Bay and cross Vachel Lindsay Bridge. You will see the first entrance into the park (and The Beach House parking area) immediately to your left after crossing the bridge. Entrances into other areas of the park are located further east on Long Bay Drive.

Bridgeview Park is 19.78 acres. It is located at 149 N. Lakewood Drive, in Chatham, IL. The park has playground equipment, one pavilion that accommodates 75 people, and a small boat dock for easy access from the lake. This park is the site of the Bridgeview Building, which is available for rent by the public. Temporary restrooms are situated in the park from late April through mid-October. A handicap-accessible restroom is located near the building.

There is a non-permanent wheelchair-accessible restroom is available at Bridgeview Park.

To get to Bridgeview Park, take exit 88 off I-55 just south of the I-55 bridge over Lake Springfield. At the top of the ramp, turn west toward Chatham (left if you're coming from the south on I-55, and right if you're coming from the north). At the first opportunity, turn right—onto N. Lakewood Drive. This will lead you into the Bridgeview Park parking lot.

East Cottonhill Park is 7.71 acres. It has three uncovered picnic areas, each accommodating 75 people.

West Cottonhill Park is 12.10 acres. It has five uncovered picnic areas, each accommodating 75 people, and a boat dock that allows easy access to the park from the lake.

Each park contains a small amount of playground equipment and small permanent restroom facilities. The parks are located near the southern end of East Lake Shore Drive, near Exit 88 off I-55.

To get to Cottonhill Park, take exit 88 off I-55 just south of the I-55 bridge over Lake Springfield. At the top of the ramp, turn east toward East Lake Shore Drive (right if you're coming from the south on I-55, and left if you're coming from the north). The parks are on the left, approximately one mile east of the exit (West park first and East park just beyond).

Beach Park is 4.78 acres. It is located across Long Bay Drive from Center Park and is adjacent to the Lindsay Bridge Boat Launch. The park has few amenities other than some picnic tables, but it offers a restful place to sit and enjoy a fabulous view of the lake.

The Beach House is handicap-accessible, as well as some other parts of Beach Park.

Directions to Beach Park

1. Take exit 94 off I-55 (East Lake Shore Drive exit) and take a left at the top of the ramp, or, if not coming via the interstate, drive east on Stevenson Drive and and pass the power plant. Cross Spaulding Dam to East Lake Shore Drive and continue past Lincoln Greens Golf Course and through the curve that sweeps along the shore of the lake. After the curve, the road straightens out. A short way ahead, you'll see a sign for Henson Robinson Zoo on your right. At this sign, turn right onto Long Bay Drive. Pass the Zoo and continue on Long Bay until you are approaching Vachel Lindsay Bridge. Beach Park will be on your right before you reach the turnoff into the Lindsay Bridge Boat Launch parking area.
2. Take West Lake Shore Drive south from Stevenson Drive and follow the road for about 4.5 miles. After rounding a sharp turn, West Lake Shore Drive will run into Long Bay Drive (West Lake Shore will veer off to the right). Continue straight (east) onto Long Bay and cross Vachel Lindsay Bridge. Immediately after crossing the bridge, you will see the entrance into the Lindsay Bridge Boat Launch parking area on your left. The entrance to Beach Park lies just beyond (east of) this parking area.

Lake Park is 10.51 acres. It is located on East Lake Shore Drive near the Henson Robinson Zoo. It contains a large amount of playground equipment and horseshoe pits. The park has two pavilions and four additional uncovered picnic areas, each accommodating 75 people. A boat dock allows easy access to the park from the lake. Permanent restrooms are located here.

Lake Park has an accessible picnic pavilion (including wheel-chair accessible picnic tables), with an ADA-compliant walkway leading to it from the handicap parking area.

To get to Lake Park, drive east on Stevenson Drive, and pass the power plant. If accessing Stevenson Drive from the interstate, take exit 94 off I-55 (East Lake Shore Drive exit) and turn left at the top of the off-ramp. Cross Spaulding Dam to East Lake Shore Drive and continue past Lincoln Greens Golf Course and through the curve that sweeps along the shore of the lake. After the curve, the road straightens out and the parking area to Lake Park is just a short way up the road on the right, just before the turn-off to Henson Robinson Zoo.

The Wildlife Sanctuary is 12.89 acres. It is located on Woodland Trail in Chatham, IL. The park area of the Wildlife Sanctuary has a small amount of playground equipment and a softball diamond. There are one pavilion and four additional uncovered picnic areas, each accommodating 75 people. A dock near the pavilion allows easy access to the park from the lake. The park has a small permanent restroom facility.

To get to Wildlife Sancuary, take exit 88 off I-55 just south of the I-55 bridge over Lake Springfield. At the top of the ramp, turn west toward Chatham (left if you're coming from the south on I-55, and right if you're coming from the north). On your right, about 0.75-1.0 miles from the exit, will be the turnoff for Chatham (Chatham Road). Turn here and follow Chatham Road past Glenwood Intermediate and High Schools. Cross the lake at Glasser Bridge and take the next right turn. Approximately 0.25 miles ahead, you'll have the option of taking a left onto Walnut Street or taking a sharp right. Keep right. Follow this road until it ends at Woodland Trail. Turn right onto Woodland Trail and follow it through the Wildlife Sanctuary to the park area.

Lick Creek Wildlife Preserve is 340 acres. It is located at the western-most end of Lake Springfield and comprises beautiful wooded hills and marshy lowlands. There are hiking and off-road biking trails throughout the Preserve, which is home to a variety of native flora and fauna. The area was set aside as a wildlife preserve in 1991.

Directions to Lick Creek Wildlife Preserve

1. Take Route 4 (Veteran's Parkway) to Woodside Road (approximate two miles from the I-72 juncture with Route 4). Turn east on Woodside and go about 0.4 miles to the Old Route 4 (Old Chatham Road) turnoff on your right. Old Route 4 will take you to the Preserve's parking lot.
2. Take Exit 90 off I-55. At the top of the ramp, turn west onto Toronto Road (right if you're coming from the north on I-55, left if you're coming from the south). At the Toronto Road and S. 2nd Street intersection, turn right (north) and go 0.5 miles to Woodside Road. Turn left (west) onto Woodside Road and proceed about 2.3 miles to the Old Route 4 (Old Chatham Road) turnoff on your left. Old Route 4 will take you to the Preserve parking lot.

Tom Madonia Park East is 3.45 acres. It contains playground equipment, including some that is handicap-accessible, and horseshoe pits. It has two pavilions and three uncovered picnic areas (one containing a handicap-accessible concrete picnic pad), each able to accommodate 75 people.

Tom Madonia Park West is 2.57 acres. It contains a small amount of playground equipment. It has one pavilion and three uncovered picnic areas, each able to accommodate 75 people.

Each park has horseshoe pits, as well as a floating boat dock that allows access to the parks from the lake. Both parks allow handicap-accessibility from the parking lots and handicap-accessible fishing from the foot bridge that connects the two parks. Both parks have permanent, wheel-chair accessible restrooms. The parks are located at the north end of East Lake Shore Drive, near Spaulding Dam.

Tom Madonia Parks (East and West) are accessible to people with physical disabilities. These parks also have a connecting bridge that is accessible to fishers with physical disabilities. Tom Madonia Park East contains some accessible recreational equipment as well as a concrete picnic pad designed especially for use by persons in wheelchairs and with other mobility difficulties.

To get to Tom Madonia Park, go east on Stevenson Drive past the power plant. If accessing Stevenson Drive from the interstate, take exit 94 off I-55 (East Lake Shore Drive exit) and turn left at the top of the off-ramp. Cross Spaulding Dam to East Lake Shore Drive. Round the curve after the dam and the entrances into the Madonia parks will be on your right as the road straightens (West park first and East park a short way down the road).