Parks & Recreation

Laura Leake Park

Laura Leake Park is enjoyed throughout the year for family-focused entertainment and is the site of the annual Juneteenth celebration. With a basketball court, swing sets, playground, space to play a little baseball, a picnic shelter, and sidewalks for leisurely strolls, this small park is a nice environment for weekends and time out with the kids. Other amenities include grills for barbecues, picnic tables, a water fountain as well as public restrooms. This site is named for Laura H. Leake, a local resident who donated land for the park.

 

Amenities

  • Basketball Court
  • Swing sets
  • A sheltered picnic area
  • Playground
  • Public Restrooms
  • Barbecue Grills
  • Picnic tables
  • Sidewalks
  • Water Fountain

 

 

500 North Maple St.
Centralia, Illinois 62801

 

Dog Park

Oh, what fun your dog will have playing in our Dog Park! Opened in late 2018, pets play off-leash in this controlled environment, under the pet owner’s supervision. The Centralia Dog Park is separated for the pleasure of small and large dogs.

 

 

There is a separate double-gated entry, water, tunnels, jumps and other play areas, tools to pick up and dispose of animal waste in covered trash cans, along with shelters and benches for humans too. Parking is close so there is easy access at the old Ever’s Field at 650 South Perrine Street.

Don’t forget, for your and your pet’s safety, a dog tag is required; visit the City Website for more details.

 

 

 

Recreation Complex

The Centralia Recreation Complex is a 60,000 square foot multi-sport facility located in historic downtown Centralia, Illinois. Built near the site of the former railroad depot, the Complex sports the look of an “old fashioned” train station from the front while housing some of the most modern equipment and facilities in the fitness industry today.

Features of the Centralia Recreation Complex include an elevated walking and jogging track, an oversized gymnasium with two full courts and six adjustable goals, a fitness room with weight stations, treadmills, stair stepper, exercise bikes, and an elliptical machine. There is a 6 lane, 25 yard competition pool, a 130-foot waterslide, a 2,000 square foot heated family leisure pool, a raindrop fountain, a heated whirlpool spa an observation deck and poolside spectator seating. The Recreation Complex also has Locker Rooms, shower facilities, family change room, a full service conference center, and a youth activities room with video games, big screen TV and more.

 

Visit Website

 

 

Raccoon Lake

This great water feature offers more than 14 miles of shoreline and 970 acres of water. Fishing is the primary recreation on this lake (bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish). You may even catch a fishing tournament on this lake. Raccoon Lake’s 5 mph limit is favorable for a variety of watercraft including kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, sailboats, and paddle boats. A boat ramp and canoe/kayak launch site is located at the north end of Country Club Road.

All watercraft operated on Raccoon Lake shall abide by State and City Regulations, including obtaining State Watercraft Card and City Boat License. There is no City Boat License required for Non-Motorized Watercraft on City Lakes. More information may be found here. Please find our recent fishing fact sheet here.

 

 

Bald Eagles, Osprey, various Heron species and many more feathered friends may be found on Raccoon Lake

Perfect kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle boarding location

Raccoon Lake’s 5 mph limit is favorable for a variety of watercraft

970 Acres of water surrounded by nature and wildlife

 

 

A newly installed 16′ by 64′ floating fishing pier extending nearly 100 feet onto Raccoon Lake, offering excellent fishing opportunities.

 

 

Lake Centralia

Lake Centralia covers more than 400 acres. This lake is great for boating and water skiing. Pontoon boats, sailboats, and other boats 21 feet in length and under are allowed on this lake. There is also great fishing on this lake. A boat ramp is located on Waverunner Cove accessible from Green Street Road to Scout Road.

All watercraft operated on Lake Centralia shall abide by State and City Regulations, including obtaining State Watercraft Card and City Boat License. There is no City Boat License required for Non-Motorized Watercraft on City Lakes. More information may be found here. Please find our recent fishing fact sheet here.

 

Golf Courses

Centralia Disc Club

Centralia’s Foundation Park
Phone: (618) 780-2380

  • 36-hole Course

Visit Website

Greenview Golf Club

U.S. 51, (South of Centralia)
2801 Putter Ln.,
Centralia, IL
Phone: (618) 532-7395

  • 18-hole Golf Course
  • Pro shop
  • Restaurant – open 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

Foundation Park

Centralia, Illinois is blessed with beautiful parks and recreation areas. Since 1989 Centralia has been designated Tree City USA, which offers a variety of beautiful trees. If you like fishing, hiking, picnicking, golfing, swimming, and water sports, there are all sorts of recreation opportunities in tranquil and calm settings attracting all ages. Come visit Centralia!

 

FOUNDATION PARK SYSTEM MAP

 

Centralia’s Foundation Park is a unique private park open to the public. This scenic 300-acre park is open year-round from dawn until 11 p.m. daily. There are miles of hiking trails, an exercise trail, an ice skating pond, and two fishing ponds both stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish. The park also sports a restored prairie, a Chapel in the Woods, the Hall Shelter, the Sentinel Shelter, The Bowl (an outdoor amphitheater), Moose Oven, and the Miner’s Memorial. You can even play a round of Disc Golf.

Reservations for group use of the Park are requested by contacting The Foundation. You won’t want to miss this natural Southern Illinois beauty. The main entrance is located at McCord & Pleasant Streets. The main park road is closed through the winter months. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. There is no charge for using any of the park’s facilities.

 

Centralia Foundation

 

(618) 533-0001
600 North Pleasant Avenue
Centralia, IL 62801

 

Fairview Park

A must-see attraction in Centralia is Railroad Village which features a historic 2500 Engine and 9415 Caboose on display in Fairview Park. Tours of these authentic rail cars once used by the Illinois Central Railroad, can be arranged upon request. While you are at Fairview Park, you should also see the rare Republic F-105 Thunderchief #318. The late Lieutenant Colonel William Pachura earned two Distinguished Flying Cross awards while operating this aircraft, known as the “Red River Queen”, during the Vietnam War.

Amenities

  • Public swimming pool
  • Baseball & softball fields
  • 11 sheltered picnic areas
  • Playground
  • Tennis courts
  • Skate park
  • Horse shoe pits
  • Sand volleyball courts

 

Visit Railroad Village to see the historic 2500 Engine and 9415 Caboose. Tours by request.

An outdoor public swimming pool is available to enjoy during the summer months.

 

Flown during the Vietnam War, the Republic F-105 Thunderchief is on display.

Fairview Park offers many unique features for youth – including a skate park.

 

1035 W McCord St.
Centralia, IL 62801

 

Bicentennial Park

This wood water tower is one of only two wooden structures of its kind still standing along the Canadian National Railroad line. It is a local historic landmark.

The wooden water tower in Centralia is a remnant of the Age of Steam, during which the Illinois Central Railroad had more than 600 towers built during the last half of the 19th Century and the early years of the 20th Century to furnish water to steam-driven locomotives. Centralia’s tower is believed to be at least 102 years old.

The tower has not held water since the 1970s and has not been used by the railroad for several decades. It is the focal point of Bicentennial Park, a park created by volunteers in 1976 as part of the community’s observance of the nation’s 200th birthday. The water tower and this Park is a reminder of Centralia’s proud railroading history.