Snyder Park

Discover one of our community’s largest parks! Snyder Park connects your family to 226 acres of nature and recreation right in your community. Iconic landmarks like Old Stone Bridge, placid lagoons and the boathouse line main roadways. Immerse yourself in the best free fun Clark County has to offer!

Connect with nature by embarking on a hiking trail through meadows, prairie and gardens or paddling through Buck Creek’s white water feature. Play a game of horseshoes, cast a fishing line without a license, or get in the game at our baseball diamond or the Dredge Tennis Complex. Gather for celebrations and occasions at one of our picnic areas or shelters and enjoy family fun at our ADA-Accessible playground and sprayground. For ADA-Accessible shelter house information please contact National Trail at (937)328-7275.

Snyder Park & Veterans Park Map

In the 1800s, a wealthy family of millers found themselves in possession of over 1,000 acres of land across Clark County and a desire to give back to the community. Over 217 acres of this land straddled Buck Creek in the City of Springfield; though not noted as the best land in the area, two of the brothers of this family thought the space would serve as a respectable city park.

And so, in 1895, John and David L. Snyder approached city leaders and struck a deal: the Snyder brothers would gift the land to the city, and the city would invest the time, resources and energy needed to transform the space into what is today one of Clark County’s largest parks. Sadly, both brothers passed away before they saw their dream realized. By the time the park was finished, two granite stones would stand at the Western Avenue entrance commemorating the men, and in 1902 the iconic stone arch was constructed to honor the park’s initiators.

A year after it was gifted, the park began taking shape under the guiding mind and hands of Mr. Herman Haerlin. The design improvements involved straightening the creek, forming several lakes, planting hundreds of trees and paving roadways throughout. Mr. Ed McIntire served as the park’s first superintendent and helped create a master plan for the roadways throughout the land. On April 22, 1897, nearly 5,000 people came together for a parade and celebration inaugurating Snyder Park.

The park has seen many changes throughout the years, hosting everything from a cement swimming pond to greenhouses, and a bandstand to a canoe house. Though its landscape and landmarks have morphed with the passage of time, Snyder Park still serves as a lush, vibrant space for the free use and enjoyment of our residents.

The newest additions to Snyder Park’s facilities serve as a testament to the civic spirit and selfless service of the volunteers, residents and businesses that make Clark County vibrant. The Speedway Children’s Park came about through a community-wide effort in the spring of 2014 to revitalize the playground area of Snyder Park.

Thanks to the Springfield Rotary Club, Friends of Snyder Park, and Speedway employees, over $1 million was raised to add an ADA-compliant playground and spray ground to Snyder Park. This means the play areas and equipment are easily accessible to children of all abilities

Springfield Rotary Centennial Playground

The Springfield Rotary Club celebrated its 100th year by funding and constructing the first playground of its kind in Clark County. The all-accessible playground is designed to be shared by children with and without disabilities. Amenities like wheelchair-friendly ramps and … create an inclusive, engaging space for every child in the community.

Bethie’s Sprayground

After more than three years of planning and fundraising, the Friends of Snyder Park brought the first water playground of its kind to Snyder Park. Bethie’s Sprayground was named in honor of Bethie Hellmuth, a beloved community member and volunteer who passed away in 2014. The 1,400 square-foot all-access splash pad area features dumping buckets, nozzles and several other water features that eliminate standing water and the risk of drowning, making it the perfect safe, family-friendly way to beat the heat during the hottest months of the year.

These upgraded playground features earned National Trail a 2015 Award of Excellence from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.

Bring your celebration, program, meeting or retreat to Springfield’s most iconic outdoor gathering area! The clubhouse at Snyder Park offers a larger gathering space with access to all the amenities you’ll need to keep guests and attendees comfortable as you get down to business or mark, a special occasion.

At this time, we have not begun renting the Snyder Park Clubhouse. Please keep checking back at this page for rental rates and updates. You can also call our main offices at (937) 328-PARK (7275) for more information on this upcoming feature!

Go head-to-head in friendly competition at one of our six hard tennis courts. These courts are open for free play during daylight hours. Courts are available on a first come, first served basis; however, National Trail reserves the right to schedule special tennis activities at this facility without notice. Five of these courts have dual lines providing use for pickleball. To see if there’s a tennis event scheduled, please call our offices at (937) 328-7275.

Sign up for youth or adult tennis programs today!

There’s something for everyone at Snyder Park–including the furriest members of the family! Thanks to generous donations and support from Dr. Dana and Judy King, Dr. Neal Campbell and other community members, Central Bark dog park opened in May of 2015. It features nearly three acres with designated spaces for large and small dog breeds, water and natural play elements, and drinking fountains.

This is the ideal spot to bring your dog to get vital exercise and build socialization skill with other two-legged and four-legged visitors. An afternoon at Central Bark is sure to offer your furry friend a tail-wagging good time!

Please review dog park rules before visiting.

In 2015, the former Gateway Learning Garden was relocated to the former Snyder Park Golf Course, now called the Snyder Park Gardens and Arboretum.  As they sought to collaborate with National Trail to preserve this community amenity, the Ohio State University Extension and the Master Gardener Volunteers of Clark County started working on a landscape design master plan for the relocation of these demonstration, teaching and display gardens.

A field trial research plot at a temporary location within the former golf course brought positive feedback from the community. Shortly after this trial plot, the new Victory Garden was installed and produced 7,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables in its first year, and all of which were donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

As we carry out our master plan, visitors will see this lush and verdant addition to the parks system continue to grow over the coming years. All of the garden areas will be installed with a focus on sustainable gardening practices, with the purpose of teaching visitors how to be successful in their own gardens.

Phase I (Beginning Summer 2016)

  • Research plots
  • Perennial displays
  • Early Ohio Settlers Garden
  • Regional Ohio State University turf research plot
  • Site preparation for the Garden of Eatin’
  • Improvements to the Victory Garden.

Phase II and Onward

  • Contemplative garden
  • Perennial trials
  • Tree and shrub collections
  • Outdoor education area
  • Viewing tower
  • Outdoor kitchen and accessible garden

Kiwanis Children’s Garden

Designed and built by the Hollandia Gardens Association this garden is the legacy project in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Springfield. The children’s garden is located in the Snyder Park Gardens & Arboretum just over the green bridge and on the former golf course and features five zones; adventure, sensory, nature, round-about and common areas. Click here for more information about this free, fun accessible area.

National Trail has partnered with Hazy Shade Disc Golf and owners, Jeremy and Leslie Pennucci to bring an 18-hole disc golf course to Snyder Park. The course, donated by Hazy Shade Golf Course, highlights the beautiful terrain of the park, with the course beginning on the north side of the new green bridge and meanders from west to east, crossing the creek at two points. Water is in play on most holes. Short tees are available on 1, 2, 4, and 17 to eliminate some water carries. The practice basket is just past hole 2, by the parking lot. Download a course map by clicking here.

Features

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An afternoon at Central Bark is sure to offer your furry friend a tail-wagging good time!