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THRIVE IN SPI • SPRINGFIELD SANGAMON GROWTH ALLIANCE
Washington Park
Bright Futures The private and public educational systems across Sangamon County are experiencing growth in the right direction. Our districts offer full and evolving curricula, with several local districts receiving state awards for excellence over the last few years. And education doesn’t stop in a formal classroom setting. There are endless opportunities for experiential, hands-on learning through the region - starting with the living history found in Springfield and New Salem at the Lincoln historic sites. Visit one of our many museums or tour the state capitol and Governor’s Mansion to take in the state government. Additionally, summer camps are not only entertaining, but also provide ample learning. Several local school sites host Camp Invention, where elementary-aged students bring STEM concepts to life through teamwork and problem- solving skills. Springfield Art Association’s summer art camps are so popular they fill up months in advance, and Lincoln Memorial Garden’s ecology camps run all summer long, giving participants a chance to immerse themselves in nature. Programs are hosted year-round at the Illinois State Museum, but you can also visit nearly any day to experience life throughout the centuries in Illinois. The Mary Ann McLean Play Museum located on the basement level provides exploratory fun and learning for all ages. Lincoln Land Community College also hosts year- round programming, from weekend STEAM classes to LLCC’s summertime College for Kids that allows students to take unique courses of interest. (And let’s not forget the parents: Lincoln Land also offers community education classes for adults on a variety of subjects from foreign languages to cooking skills!)
Expanding Culture The Springfield area is a multicultural community; residents move from all over the world to put down roots here. This cultural richness and diversity in our county expands our perspectives and bridges our connections. With a variety of churches, mosques, synagogues and temples, faith communities are also thriving here, offering residents from all backgrounds the opportunity to worship and practice religious traditions important to them. Ideal Location Who wants to spend hours driving around? At approximately 195,000 residents, Sangamon County’s size makes it a popular choice for families who love short commutes. Here, the average commute time is less than 20 minutes. And there’s no doubt that Springfield and nearby towns are convenient to get to and from - the convergence of I-72 and I-55 makes travel to other regions a snap. With bustling metropolitan cities like St. Louis, Chicago and Indianapolis all within a three-hour drive, you can just fill up the gas tank for an exciting day or weekend excursion. However, it’s likely you won’t want to leave very often, because it will take a lifetime to exhaust the options for activities, entertainment and attraction in Sangamon County. The area’s friendly communities are ideal for families who want to raise their children in a comfortable, safe environment. From state-of-the-art medical care to high-quality educational choices, Springfield and our nearby county communities are a top pick for families.
Soldier Returning Home at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport
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