Information
Landmark: Forsyth ParkCity: Decatur IL
Country: USA Illinois
Continent: North America
Forsyth Park, Decatur IL, USA Illinois, North America
Overview
In the center of Savannah’s historic district lies Forsyth Park, a 30-acre stretch of green that’s both storied and beloved, with shady oaks lining its walkways.Founded in the 1840s, it takes its name from John Forsyth, once Georgia’s governor and later the U. S. Secretary of State.People love the park for its green, tree-shaded paths, its famous landmarks, its deep history, and the way it buzzes with locals and visitors coming together.Forsyth Park sits between Gaston Street to the north, Park Avenue to the south, Drayton Street on the east, and Whitaker Street to the west, where old oaks cast long afternoon shadows.Tucked inside Savannah’s historic district, the park sits among graceful 19th-century buildings and sun-warmed cobblestone streets, drawing visitors eager to soak in the city’s charm.The park’s most famous landmark is the Forsyth Fountain, a gleaming white marble structure installed in 1858 that sends water spilling from tiered bowls into the air.Modeled after the fountains in Paris’s Place de la Concorde, it rises at the park’s north end, where sunlight often glints off its spray, making it one of Savannah’s most photographed landmarks.The fountain stands at the heart of the park, drawing visitors with its graceful arcs of water and serving as a favorite backdrop for photos.A shady, paved loop winds for a mile around the park, ideal for walking, jogging, or just ambling along beneath the rustle of leaves.Tall live oaks, their branches heavy with drifting Spanish moss, arch overhead to form a shady canopy, while bright flower beds and neat green lawns bring splashes of color with the changing seasons.Forsyth Park’s got plenty to keep you moving, from the pop of tennis balls on the courts to the thump of basketball on the blacktop.Wide, open lawns where people kick soccer balls, toss frisbees, and gather for casual games.A spacious, well-equipped playground invites kids to climb, swing, and laugh while parents relax, knowing it’s a safe spot for the whole family.Fragrant Garden: Created with accessibility at its heart, this space invites visitors to breathe in the rich scent of lavender, rosemary, and other carefully chosen blossoms.It offers a unique spot where visually impaired visitors-and anyone else-can connect with nature by breathing in the scent of fresh pine and feeling the rough bark under their fingertips.Scattered across the park, visitors come across historic monuments and statues, like the Confederate Monument honoring soldiers of the Confederacy, its bronze figures weathered by sun and rain.The Hiker honors Georgia’s volunteers who fought in the Spanish-American War and other battles, standing tall in bronze with a rifle at his side.Forsyth Park is the heart of Savannah’s gatherings, hosting everything from lively festivals to weekly traditions like the Forsyth Farmers’ Market, where every Saturday morning from 9 to 1 you can stroll past tables piled high with ripe peaches, fresh breads, handmade jewelry, and bright bouquets, all sold by local farmers and artisans.Each late September, the Savannah Jazz Festival fills the park with the sound of nationally acclaimed musicians, drawing crowds for a vibrant, foot-tapping celebration of music.All year long, the park comes alive with live music drifting through the air, vibrant art shows, theatrical performances, and festive seasonal celebrations, turning it into a buzzing center for culture and fun.Right next door, the Mansion on Forsyth Park-an 1887 beauty with tall arched windows-has been reborn as a luxury boutique hotel and art gallery, wrapping guests in both elegance and rich cultural flair.At the park’s northeastern edge stands the Candler Oak, a sprawling 300-year-old giant with branches that cast deep shade, one of Savannah’s largest trees and a proud Georgia landmark that embodies the city’s rich natural heritage.The park welcomes visitors every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and it’s always free-no ticket, no fuss.The park’s easy to navigate, with smooth paved paths you can roll along and spots set aside for wheelchairs.Forsyth Park isn’t just a stretch of grass-it’s Savannah’s cultural and historic heartbeat, where oak trees frame shaded paths and stories linger in the air.With its sweeping views, playgrounds, old stone monuments, and buzzing festivals, it offers a warm, inviting space where people of every age and interest feel at home.You might stretch out beneath the shade of ancient oaks, join a lively game on the grassy fields, browse fresh peaches at the farmers’ market, or sway to music at a festival-whatever draws you here, Forsyth Park remains a treasured heart of Savannah.
