Gordon F. Moore Community Park, Illinois, United States

4JMCSTL 5:00 PM Aug 12, 2017

Something for Everyone!
Gordon Moore Park is on the eastern edge of Alton along Route 111/IL-140/College Avenue. The park grounds are huge, with acreage on both sides of the highway and lots of open space to explore. The Spencer T. Olin public golf course occupies the eastern and southern parts of the park, with the rest offering sports fields (baseball/softball & soccer/football) and several picnic areas & playgrounds. There are a nature trail & several memorial areas, and a large stocked fishing lake. The park has an Oriental Garden, and the beautiful & well-maintained Nan Elliott Memorial Rose Garden. There are plenty of parking lots near each major activity area with adequate spaces to accommodate visitors & sports participants. My wife & I visited the Park on a Sunday evening in mid-August, so see & photograph the Rose Garden and to listen to the carillon concert. These free concerts are offered on Sunday evenings from 5:00 to 5:30 pm, Memorial Day through September. The Carillon bell tower is right along the main road that curves through the southern portion of the Park, with the carillonneur sitting in a nearby cottage to play. Visitors bring their lawn chairs, find a shady spot on either side of the roadway near the tower & rose garden, and enjoy the music. There also are two long benches under a trellis structure overlooking the Rose Garden, and a couple of park benches nearby. The music is beautiful, with a different musician from the community playing each week. On occasion, the carillonneur also will allow visitors to see & learn about the instrument inside the cottage building. Gordon Moore Park is one of the nicer & larger community parks we've encountered in our travels around the U.S.. It has many things to see and do for people of all ages. My wife & I intend to return before the end of the Carillon concert season to hear more from this unusual instrument. We recommend a visit to the Park to area residents as well as visitors, to enjoy the gardens and green spaces and picnic/play areas.

5TravelingFreeWoman 5:00 PM Aug 7, 2018

Large Area, Lots of Activity
This park has something for everyone. I've been here just for a walk, a peaceful picnic, a graduation party, soccer games and baseball games. It seems to always be improving. The flower garden areas are beautiful. The playgrounds have lots to offer and now another entrance is being added. It's a pretty great park.