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Southern View Community Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 209 Google reviews · Running trail in Southern View, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Southern View Community Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ShadedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Park and green space featuring playgrounds, baseball fields, and a pond.

What runners say about Southern View Community Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (209 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 11 mentions

“Every time I've been there, it has been clean, bikers have come through on the bike path, and people have been using different parts of the park.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“Ants all over the floor of the canopy picnic area.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“The walkway is beautifully maintained and makes for a perfect stroll, with just the right mix of open spaces and serene views.”

This is a nice community park. The paths are well kept and good for walking. There is a pond with geese and ducks. There are baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and a roller derby rink. Playground and a few covered picnic areas. I like going here. They keep the park well maintained overall.

★★★★★ — Kathlyn , Jul 2020

It has a couple of ball fields, a playground, and an open soccer field for play football, soccer, or ultimate Frisbee. Every time I've been there, it has been clean, bikers have come through on the bike path, and people have been using different parts of the park.

★★★★☆ — Tom , Jul 2017

2 little playgrounds, one for the younger kids and one for bigger kids though both were used by my 2 and 4 year olds. There's a nice little walking trail that goes around the park and passes a quaint pond. Very sunny with few trees for shade.

★★★★☆ — Jonathan , Jun 2021

I'm not biased being a Southernview resident, I call it like I see it. Gem of a park tucked away in quite little corner. We walk our dog here and have rented a pavilion for parties multiple times. Great little park

★★★★★ — Christopher , Jun 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 209 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🚻 Restrooms 5 mentions

“Nice restrooms, pavilions with electricity, ball diamond, open space, pond, walking path!”

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🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“Southern View Community Park in Springfield, Illinois, is a true gem for families and furry friends alike.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“The walkway is beautifully maintained and makes for a perfect stroll, with just the right mix of open spaces and serene views.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“Ants all over the floor of the canopy picnic area.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“The largest loop is about a mile, perfect for exercise and walking the dog.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Southern View Community Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitesouthernview.us
  • Phone+1 217-529-3352
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–10 pm
Friday 6 am–10 pm
Saturday 6 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Southern View Community Park

3483-3499 S 4th St, Southern View, IL 62703

Get directions

Running trails near Southern View

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Southwind Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,260 reviews

Springfield, IL

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Accessible 80-acre park with a lake, 5 sensory gardens, a children's playground & sports facilities.

1.6 miles away

Lost Bridge Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 66 reviews

Springfield, IL

PavedShadedDog-friendly

Paved walking and biking trail for jogging and hikes in a flat, shady setting.

3.0 miles away

Washington Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,866 reviews

Springfield, IL

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Green space featuring a playground, a bell tower, a botanical garden & 2 ponds with ducks & geese.

3.0 miles away

Washington Park Nature Trail

4 ★★★★☆ 1 reviews

Springfield, IL

3.1 miles away

Washington Park Botanical Garden

4.7 ★★★★★ 834 reviews

Springfield, IL

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Free garden with seasonal flowers, roses, trees, tropical greenhouses & a glass-domed conservatory.

3.2 miles away

3.4 miles away

All running trails in Southern View, IL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.