Edwin Watts Southwind Park Brochure

The Edwin Watts Southwind Park
Edwin Watts: The Legacy
Lives on… to be enjoyed by
everyone!
In 1901 a local pioneer, Edwin Watts purchased an
80 acre farm just south of the Springfield city limits.
Edwin was successful in
farming and cattle trading
and his farm remained in his
family for four generations.
As the City of Springfield’s
planned growth expands to
the southern area of town,
the Watts family descendants
recognized the need for a
park to promote and insure
green space and recreation
programs to benefit our
community residents. As a
result of their keen insight
and harmony with the
pioneer spirit of their Great
Grandfather, the family
donated the land for the
Springfield Park District to
develop a new park, hence,
the “Edwin Watts Southwind Park!”
An ALL People Park
One of the Edwin Watts Southwind Park’s most
compelling features is its complete accessibility for all
ages and abilities with special emphasis and attention
given to those with physical and cognitive disabilities.
The Springfield community will be proud that its
newest park serves as a national model providing a
new dimension of inclusion for all people “without
boundaries” in full compliance with the American
Disabilities Act.
Located south of Springfield, bordered by South
Second Street and Southwind Road, and adjacent to the
Trevi Gardens Subdivision, the park is easily accessible
from Interstate 55 and Toronto Road.
The future multi-use park is designed to provide
year round indoor/outdoor fun, education, and
recreation programs set amidst beautiful natural
habitats, wide open green space, unique water features
and cutting- edge recreational facilities.
Join the Springfield Park District in building a lasting
legacy as we create Springfield’s newest destination!
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Park Features
Stroll, roll, run or hike along the 2 ½ mile tree lined
and paved urban pathway and enjoy the surrounding
pleasant green space as you explore the park features.
Stop along the pathway at one of the several seating
areas or sheltered picnic areas.
Fish from the docks on the 4 ½ acre lake, or stop
and experience the calming effects of the water as
you picnic in the gazebo on the lake. Watch in awe
as the waltzing waters fountain, located in the center
of the lake, dazzles and dances across the water in
a spectacular performance in perfect harmony to a
variety of featured light and music shows.
In search of entertainment? Meander over to the
outdoor amphitheater and take pleasure in artistic
performances or go just beyond the theater to the
prairie grass human maze. As you exit the maze, look
up at one of the world’s largest windmills. At 84 feet
high the windmill provides circulation for the interactive
rambling creek that feeds the nearby lake. Chase
tadpoles, take off you shoes and dangle your toes in the
cool flowing water.
Wander on towards the sensory gardens, smell
the scents and touch the textures of the varied plants.
Listen to the automated recorded songs of the birds,
the buzzing of the bees, the chirps of the crickets and
the hoots of the owls that are home in our Midwestern
environment.
Fly a kite, play a game of football or kickball on the
adjoining 8 acre great green lawn, or just sit in the
grass and soak up the sun while you wait your turn to
play chess on the life size chess game board.
Gather your friends and family, pick a shelter, large
or small, fire up the grill and cook out, or unpack your
picnic and spend time together.
Venues for friendly fun that feed everyone’s
competitive spirit can be found at the horseshoe pits,
bocce ball and shuffleboard courts.
Nearby, an outdoor playground is the setting to
interact with individuals with all levels of disabilities in
an environment that provides and encourages inclusion!
A stone’s throw away cool off in the splash water
fountain, or sit back and take pleasure in watching
others spatter, dash and laugh.
Across the way, enjoy the beauty of the gardens
that surround the walkway as you enter Erin’s Pavilion.
The pavilion, a 7,000 square foot recreation center,
offers a panoramic view of the lake from inside or its
outside covered pavilion patio, complete with cooling
misters and ceiling fans to aid your comfort during our
summer months. As you enjoy the serenity of the lake,
observing the “big fish that got away” on the fishing
piers or absorbing the magic brought to you by the
tantalizing waltzing waters fountain, you will experience
a unique and pleasant environment unmatched by any
other park in our community, state or nation!
Erin’s Pavilion provides indoor space that will house
a diverse level of recreational programs, expanding
current Park District programs since the building will
be completely accessible and support special needs
for individuals with all levels of disabilities. The newly
formed Special Recreation Department administrative
offices will also be located in the Pavilion.
After participating in a yoga class or attending a
catered luncheon or one of a wide range of activity
offerings at Erin’s Pavilion, wander along the paved
trail to the Indoor Recreation/Sports Complex. Three
swimming pools and an indoor soccer facility are
planned to be a part of the Recreation Complex. An
olympic size pool will support our local high school,
college and youth programs in addition to lap and
open swimming sessions. Two additional pools
will be designed with the focus on accommodating
rehabilitation for individuals with temporary and
permanent levels of disabilities. Adjoining the
swimming complex is an indoor soccer field that will
serve youth and adult soccer programs.
Without Boundaries….
You just toured our new park and encountered NO
OBSTACLES! You walked with, wheeled with, talked to
and laughed with people of all levels of disabilities and
abilities! This is an All People Park, serving cognitive,
emotional, physical and social needs in a diverse, safe
and fun setting without physical and social barriers.
Whether you, a friend or family member faces the
challenges of physical or mental disabilities, visual or
hearing impairments, cardiovascular conditions and
the like, our park EMBRACES everyone. Elbow to
elbow, wheel to leg, shoulder to shoulder, cane to foot,
together as ONE, INCLUSIVE.
•
“This is an
All People
Park,
serving
cognitive,
emotional,
physical and
social needs
in a diverse,
safe and
fun setting
without
physical
and social
barriers.”
•
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Partnership
Leave your own Legacy!
The Springfield Parks
Foundation has provided
support and funding for a variety
of park projects and programs. The
Foundation teams cooperatively with
the Park District Board of Trustees
and staff to achieve the shared
goal of successfully improving area
parks and the overall quality of life in Springfield. The
immediate fundraising focus for the Springfield Parks
Foundation is this signature project, The Edwin Watts
Southwind Park. The Park District is fortunate and
grateful for the continued support and dedication to our
community by the Springfield Parks Foundation.
You too can join the pioneer spirit and financially
contribute to the Edwin Watts Southwind Park project.
Finance a fishing pier, a picnic shelter, the feature
waltzing waters lake fountain, a bocce ball court,
horseshoe pit, benches, a grill, plantings, trees, literally
every feature could use a donor. Donate all or part of
the finances needed. Legacy naming opportunities for a
variety of park features are available. Whether in honor
or remembrance of a friend, family member, family
pet or to begin or continue a family, business, club or
special group legacy …..
Take this opportunity and join our team of
supporters as we set a new precedent to the meaning
“Without Boundaries!”
Let’s build this park!
Run with the Wind to
Southwind Park!
The Southwind Park vision will be funded and
built by cooperative partnerships with private donors,
corporate sponsors, grants, in-kind services and
goverment agencies with the Springfield Park District
and Springfield Parks Foundation serving as the
nucleus.
Acquiring land for a park is the first step and thanks
to the generosity of a local family, our foundation is
laid! Several local businesses have committed time
and materials to accomplish a wide range of the project
phases to complete the Southwind Park development
and make it a reality, a place for everyone to go and
enjoy!
A community project requires community
involvement!
Have you Caught Wind …
of what is happening
south of Springfield?
Financial Donations made payable to the
Springfield Parks Foundation (SPF) Edwin Watts
Southwind Park Project. Donations are tax deductible
to the extent allowed by law.
Springfield Park District
Edwin Watts Southwind Park Project
2500 South 11th Street
Springfield, Illinois 62703
If you have any questions or comments please
contact the Springfield Park District office
217-544-1751
Join our Journey to
Springfield’s New
Destination!
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