Meadow Park South
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Meadow Park South is a neighborhood located in the city of Springfield, Missouri.
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Summary
It is a quiet and peaceful residential area that offers visitors a chance to experience the local culture and way of life. There are several good reasons to visit Meadow Park South, including its proximity to downtown Springfield and many local attractions, such as the Springfield Art Museum, Discovery Center, and Fantastic Caverns.
One of the main points of interest in Meadow Park South is the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. This 80-acre nature center offers visitors a chance to explore the Ozarks' natural beauty through interactive exhibits, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Another popular attraction in the area is the Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. This park features several playgrounds, walking trails, fishing ponds, and picnic areas, making it an ideal spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Interesting facts about Meadow Park South include its close proximity to Missouri State University and its vibrant downtown area. Visitors can enjoy a variety of local restaurants, shops, and art galleries, all located just a short drive from the neighborhood.
The best time of year to visit Meadow Park South is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the foliage is at its peak. Summers can be hot and humid, while winters can be cold and snowy. However, visitors who don't mind the weather can enjoy the area's many indoor attractions, such as museums and theaters, year-round.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Bear Cave Park
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Old Campground
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Camp Grounds
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Pine Lawn City Park
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Meadow Park North
Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Southern Woods Park
McQuillian Fields
Zumbro South Park