Nathanael Greene / Close Memorial Park is one of Springfield’s premier destination parks, with land first developed in the 1960s when the Springfield Park Board acquired property along the James River to create a large community park. The park was later expanded through the generous land donation of the Close family, leading to the addition of Close Memorial Park and the establishment of the Springfield Botanical Gardens, which has grown through volunteer efforts and community partnerships into a regional horticultural destination featuring themed gardens, trails, and educational spaces.

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Home to the Botanical Garden and a variety of cultural and recreational assets, Nathanael Greene / Close Memorial Park will see master planning that supports garden growth, volunteer infrastructure, tourism impact management, and ecological stewardship.