Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center

A Living Memorial to Lincoln

Situated on the shores of Lake Springfield is a 100-acre natural haven that feels like stepping back in time. The Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center preserves the kind of landscape Abraham Lincoln himself would have wandered through during his Illinois days. Designed by the brilliant Jens Jensen (a master of the Prairie School style) back in the 1930s, this isn't your typical memorial with stone and plaques - it's a living landscape that would have been familiar to Lincoln during his time in Illinois.

The garden unfolds across two main areas: the 63-acre Jensen section hugging Lake Springfield's edge, and the 29-acre Ostermeier Prairie Center where you can experience restored tallgrass prairies in all their windswept glory. There's also 19 acres of buffer lands that help protect this natural sanctuary.

Trails to Wander

Winding through these landscapes are six miles of interconnected trails that take you through woodlands, wetlands, and prairie vistas. The paths are thoughtfully covered with wood chips or grass - comfortable underfoot while still feeling wonderfully wild. Throughout your walk, you'll come across benches inscribed with Lincoln's wise words, perfect spots to catch your breath and ponder life a bit.

The garden is dotted with charming features that enhance its peaceful atmosphere: a serene pond, rustic footbridges, and eight stone council rings - Jensen's signature design elements that offer both seating for gatherings and lovely views of Lake Springfield.

If accessibility is a concern, the Ostermeier Prairie Center offers a half-mile accessible trail winding through tall prairie grasses and circling a small pond. And for those hot summer days, there's even a hidden little beach area along the lake trail where you can dip your toes in the cool water.

Wildlife Around Every Corner

Wildlife is active throughout the garden year-round. Keep your eyes peeled for deer stepping delicately between trees, rabbits darting across clearings, and squirrels performing acrobatics overhead. Bird enthusiasts will appreciate the well-stocked feeders and the diverse feathered residents that call this place home.

Each season brings different highlights - spring wildflowers, summer prairie grasses, fall foliage, and the quiet simplicity of winter. Photographers, bring your cameras - you'll find endless compositions waiting to be captured.

Learn, Play, Explore

At the heart of it all stands the Nature Center, an educational hub housing interactive exhibits including a super microscope that never fails to fascinate young visitors. It's also where workshops and programs bring the natural world into sharper focus for curious minds of all ages.

Families will love the newer children's garden area with its natural play structures designed for climbing and exploring. Instead of plastic slides and metal swings, kids can clamber over logs and balance on stones - the kind of play that sparks imagination and builds a connection to the natural world.

Before you leave, pop into the Split Rail Gift Shop for locally made treasures like handcrafted items, gardening books, local honey, maple syrup, and seasonal decorations. Year-round, the garden hosts educational programs and events - the annual pancake and sausage breakfast featuring homemade maple syrup is particularly worth marking your calendar for.

Artistic Touches

Keep an eye out for the whimsical wooden troll sculptures hiding throughout the garden. These wooden figures are partially hidden among the landscape, adding an element of discovery to your visit. The collection grows occasionally, giving return visitors something new to hunt for.

Plants with Purpose

The garden's flora tells its own story, featuring native species from Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky - all states where Lincoln left his mark. Stately white oaks, sweet-sapped sugar maples, flowering dogwoods, and towering prairie grasses like big bluestem create a living museum of Midwestern plant life.

The combination of natural landscape, Lincoln's history, and educational features provides context to the legacy of one of America's most significant presidents. Just one note to keep in mind: to protect the wildlife and preserve the natural environment, dogs aren't permitted in the garden.