Venture to Volunteer Park - The Park That Has Something for Everyone

4350 Mount Vernon Rd. Springfield, Oregon 97478

Park Visit: Wed. Apri,l 16th 2025 @ 10:20-12:30

Our visit to Volunteer Park made for a super fun morning adventure! I was suprised at how awesome this park is for a "neighborhood" park. The neighborhood seemed pretty nice. However, unfortunately, when we were there ( I do have a few ideas about why...), most of the people weren't overly friendly. Throughout the couple of hours we spent there, about 5 families plus some dog walkers came through. It felt on the busier side for a neighborhood park and I can see why. It's a pretty neat spot.

We parked right in front of the 'Main Entrance" located on Holly Street, where the bike racks, locked (maybe only in the off season?) drinking fountain and park sign are located. There's plenty of street parking that felt very safe. I think adding to the feeling of saftey inside the park is the fact that it's fenced. It does have large and inviting openings at the entrances. There's a "Secondary Entrance" down the street, still on Holly, where you will find the opposite end of the walking loop and a doggy bag station. There are also two "Alternative Entrances", indicated on the site map below, via the Hillview Baptist Church parking lot. I am not sure if you can park in their lot, but it certainly wasn't necessary when we were there.

"Main Entrance" Street Parking and Bike Racks

When you walk into the main entrance of the park you'll see the park sign. The play ground is on your right very close to the street so, it's nice there's a fence. The sand pit is just beyond the playground. There's a lovely paved path that loops the entire 6-acre park. It loops back to the park via the street side walk. The 2 "Alternate Entrances" and the "Secondary Entrance" are all on the left hand side of the park across the large open grass area.

Along the back perimeter of the park you'll find a really neat and immersive 'wetland' area. The 'wetlands' back up to the train tracks and you have a long, clear and close view of the tracks! Thankfully, the park is fenced so no worry about kids escaping to play train! 🤣 We didn't get to see the train go by the day we were there but I am sure it would be a very exciting event for most littles to get to see and hear it go by so close!

The "Teeny Dirt Path" into the 'Wetlands' to the far Left and the Mini "Bridge"

The 'wetlands' account for about a half acre of Volunteer Park and were designed to be, "consistent with wetlands that were historically present in the Willamette Valley" (Willamalane.org). You'll find, native grasses, sedges, rushes, wildflowers and even standing water in these areas! When we visited in early Spring there were two small areas of water. I've read that the water dries up by June or July. I particularly loved the back right hand side of the park where the 'wetlands' were quite lush and the path meanders through tall trees, this is the area just beyond the sand pit. We really enjoyed walking the path and our friend had fun riding his big wheel on it! On the other far side of the park there's a teeny dirt path that takes you off the paved path into the 'wetlands'. You can stand on a mini planked "bridge" and take in the scenery. We saw a bit of standing water in this area. The basketball court is next. It's a full sized court with a bench and adjustable hoops; apparently, a Springfield Rotary project.

'Wetlands' on the Right Hand Side of the Park - Just Past The Sandpit

This park is really lovely. It's in a great neighborhood. It was blue skies and cool breezes when we were there. We went with our neighbors and had a picinic snack. My one year old is loving sweet potato tots!!! (I'll link a recipe soon!) I love our "weather proof" black and white checkered picnic blanket. These are so handy to have and keep you dry even if the grass is damp. I keep one in the car always and one in the double BOB that we take to "our" park almost daily for snack time. Our friends brought a kite which was perfect for the breezy day and fun to get flying in the large open grassy area.

Kites Are a Super Fun Addition to Your Park Bag - My Tot Eating "Tots" on Our Whether Proof Picnic Blanket - The Coolest Convertible Big Wheel, From Big Wheel to Tric W/Out Any Tools

It's always nice to see a playground with two play structures. Perfect for families with bigs and littles. The big play structure at this park is really fun looking with a festive flag on the top. It's got two really fun metal slides and a couple different climbing features.

The tot sized structure is perfect for my littles. It's got 3 plastic slides, a bouncing bridge and even, low to the ground, monkey bars. My kids and their friend loved riding on the bouncers and playing in the sand pit. The sand pit is awesome! It's pretty large, was very clean and had a fun scooper thing to dig with. There's a bench and a couple of short walls parents can sit on to watch the kids play.

In reflection of our visit that day, I'll humbly add - Let's always remember to be respectful of the fact that our parks are for everyone to enjoy, bigs, littles, dog walkers, joggers, parents, those with disabilities and allergies, everyone - all the time. Pack it in, pack it out. Leave no trace. Pick up your trash and food remnants. Be responsible and mindful of your children and how they are interacting with other patrons and their environment while utilizing our parks. When families forget these tenets it makes it hard for others to enjoy the space, as well as to connect with each other and the environment.

When we visited this park I was still toying with the idea of creating this blog. I have to say, finding these heart-lifting quotes on the benches scattered throughout the park inspired me to go for it! Plus, the encouragement from my lovely neighbor!

Plaques on the Park Benches

The design of this park feels very well thought out. The 6-acre space is interestingly laid out and entices you to explore every corner. Volunteer Park is a wonderful place for families with multiple age ranges to explore. It's a great park that you can spend quite a bit of time at, if only it had bathrooms!!!

Bouncers, Balance Beam, Personal Sized Spinner, Basketball Courts

Helpful? Give it a heart! Let me know in the comments what was helpful about this review. Anything missing that you'd like to hear about in these reviews? Have you visited Volunteer Park, what do you and your kids like best about it - share with us in the comments! Check out the map beow and notice how close Bluebelle Park is! You could do a park hop and cross off two parks on your Park Bingo card in one day!!!

Keep an eye out for review #3 - it's truly a hidden Springfield GEM we'll for sure be visiting again! James Park will take you by complete surprise!

Thanks for being on this journey with me.

Let's do this thing together.

Volunteer Park is located at 4350 Mount Vernon Rd. Springfield, Oregon 97478 Between Main St. to the North and Jasper Rd. to the South, 42nd to the West and Bob Straub Pkwy to the East. Look, Bluebelle Park is close enough for a park hop, and on the Park Bingo card also!

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#4 May 13, 2025