Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park is a 114-acre park and botanical garden destination at 2400 S Scenic Ave, Springfield, Missouri 65807, in the city’s southwest Scenic Avenue area. Home to Springfield Botanical Gardens, Lake Drummond, and the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, which opened in 2010, it combines horticultural collections with walking paths, children’s play spaces, and local history. Travelers come for an inexpensive outdoor afternoon, seasonal flowers, and a Japanese garden established in 1985.
What to Expect at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
The gardens reward a slow circuit rather than a straight walk across the park. Start at the Botanical Center for orientation, then connect the Rose Garden, Hosta Garden, Daylily Garden, and Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden. Collections shift through the seasons: spring brings irises and peonies, summer emphasizes roses and daylilies, and autumn gives ornamental grasses and deciduous trees their turn. The Missouri Wine Grape Demonstration Garden adds a distinctly regional agricultural subject.
Beyond the formal beds, Lake Drummond opens the landscape into lawns, water views, and a comfortable walking circuit. The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden occupies a separate, landscaped enclosure with ponds, bridges, stone elements, and carefully framed views. Families can combine the seasonal butterfly house with Playcore Play Pods distributed around the grounds. This is a working botanical landscape, so flowering displays, maintenance activity, and access to individual garden areas change throughout the year.
- Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden: A 7.5-acre Japanese-style garden with koi ponds, bridges, and contemplative walking routes; separate admission applies.
- Dr. Bill Roston Native Butterfly House: A seasonal enclosure focused on native butterflies, host plants, and their life cycles.
- Lake Drummond: Waterside paths and open views provide a change of pace between the more intensively planted gardens.
- Gray/Campbell Farmstead: Historic buildings, including an 1856 farmhouse, introduce the rural history of southwest Missouri; interior access depends on scheduled openings.
- Sensory Garden: Plant textures, scents, and close-up details invite a different approach from simply looking at flower beds.
Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2400 S Scenic Ave, Springfield, MO 65807 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Southwest Springfield, Scenic Avenue corridor |
| Operating Hours | Listed visitor-facility hours: Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Outdoor grounds and seasonal attractions have separate schedules. |
| Admission / Price Range | General park and botanical gardens: free ($). Japanese Stroll Garden: separate paid admission; special events may charge. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 3 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free on-site parking reached from South Scenic Avenue; consult City Utilities Transit for current bus routing. |
| Official Website & Phone | Springfield Botanical Gardens; +1 417-891-1515 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive in the morning for cooler walking conditions and time to examine the planting collections before lunch. Check the official calendar before planning around butterflies, farmstead interiors, or the Japanese garden: these do not necessarily follow Botanical Center hours. Ordinary garden walks need no reservation. Bring water, sun protection, and a picnic for the designated picnic areas; reserve a pavilion separately for an organized gathering. Keep dogs leashed and check attraction-specific pet restrictions before entering enclosed areas.
Driving gives the simplest arrival, with parking inside the park off Scenic Avenue. For buses, consult City Utilities of Springfield before setting out. Main paved paths suit wheelchairs and strollers, and the Botanical Center provides restrooms and an indoor pause; secondary garden paths can be narrower, uneven, or sloping. Allow extra time for a mobility-friendly route. Within roughly 5–15 minutes’ walk of the central garden area, pair your visit with the Gray/Campbell Farmstead or the adjoining South Creek Greenway for a longer paved walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours, and when is the best time to visit?
Listed visitor-facility hours are 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday. Confirm separate attraction schedules before traveling; spring mornings and early summer offer especially rewarding flower displays.
Is admission free, and do I need reservations?
The main park and botanical gardens are free, and casual visits do not require reservations. The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden charges separately; check the official website for current rates and seasonal opening dates.
How much time should I budget?
Allow 1.5 to 3 hours for several garden collections and a lakeside walk. Add time for the Japanese garden, a picnic, or an extended outing along South Creek Greenway.
Is the park suitable for wheelchairs and children?
Paved main routes make much of the park practical for wheelchairs and strollers, although individual garden surfaces vary. Play Pods and seasonal butterfly viewing give children focused stops between walks; supervise them beside ponds and the lake.
When planning your Springfield travel guide or comparing verified attractions and parks in Springfield, pair this stop with standout local spots including Sequiota Park, Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, Van Gogh's Eeterie, and World's Largest Fork By Mass (2.9 km away).
