Above: Preliminary rendering of Ulmer Park renovation plans
Press Release
The City of Springfield is announcing the upcoming renovations to Ulmer Park in 2023. The City Council and staff have been planning the renovation of the park for years and feel that they have a plan that will work in bringing both passive and active recreation experiences to downtown Springfield while still honoring the history of the park.
The renovation will include much needed upgrades such as new restrooms, new playground equipment and renovated picnic areas. The city hopes that the improved facilities and additional parking will make the park more accessible and practical for residents and visitors. The new playgrounds and picnic areas will create a more comfortable place that families can enjoy.
The seldom utilized Ulmer ball field, once popular for regular ball games, will be revived and memorialized with artificial turf and permanent base lines as a multi-use use field open to the public. Much of the field fencing will be removed and the outfield will double as a community lawn.
A portion of Crawford Street will be closed, adding another city block to the uninterrupted park space. The dilapidated Treutlen Building will be replaced with a new open-air pavilion that will include restrooms and a stage that will open towards the park lawn. Additional parking will be provided in a new public parking area near Madison Street to serve both the park and the downtown commercial district. The new pavilion and parking areas will allow more events and activities to be hosted at the park.
A new rubberized walking path and more parking will be created along the entire park perimeter. The walking trail and new restrooms will appeal to downtown visitors and make the park more functional for events, food trucks and active users.
The renovations and new additions to Ulmer Park are intended to elevate the park & create a unique amenity in downtown Springfield. The city hopes that providing these improvements will make the park more attractive and functional for everyone in the community. Demolition is slated to begin before the new year, and construction will start soon after.
Questions can be directed to Springfield City Hall. (912) 754-7617.