Franklin Park, also known as Franklin Park Estates, is a subdivision on Springfield’s southeast side. It’s just minutes away from the University of Illinois Springfield and outdoor recreation at Lake Springfield. With a secluded feel, a central neighborhood park and an active neighborhood association, Franklin Park has a classic suburban feel. It’s also within walking distance of a public elementary school, which draws in families. “It’s a family-oriented and safe neighborhood,” says Pam Brandon, President of Franklin Park Neighborhood Association. “It doesn’t matter who you are or how long you’ve been here — we all look out for each other.”
With a secluded feel and an active neighborhood association, Franklin Park is a classic suburb.
Grassy lawns are well cut as Franklin Park residents have a sense of pride in home ownership.
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A beloved local park and an active neighborhood association
Within the neighborhood, Barker Park is a go-to green space with a playground and court that can be used for basketball and pickleball. “Our residents love that the park isn’t accessible from any high-traffic areas because it’s only really used by people in the neighborhood,” Brandon says. “But that means the park district doesn’t add as many amenities, like a bathroom.” The Franklin Park Neighborhood Association also uses the parks for its annual Fall Festival, their biggest event. Day to day, the neighborhood association also works with the city council, parks department and police to advocate for residents. They added a paved path to connect Franklin Park directly with 11th Street and organized a neighborhood watch in collaboration with their local police officer. Even those who aren’t part of the neighborhood association are invited to join an active Facebook page, where residents can say "Hi," ask for help and share concerns.
Franklin Park residents love to stroll through Barker Park in the afternoon.
Known as Franklin Park Estates, Franklin Park is a subdivision on Springfield’s southeast side.
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Late 1900s homes on wide streets and grassy lawns
Franklin Park’s streets tell a story through the decades, with homes that date from the 1970s up to the 1990s. Ranch styles are the most common, but there are also some bi-level and two-story properties. “The houses in Franklin Park are just old enough to have character and not feel too cookie cutter, but not old enough to require a lot of maintenance,” says Realtor Eric Pedigo with The Real Estate Group, who has sold several homes in the neighborhood. “Pretty much all of the homes I’ve been in have been really well-maintained — there’s a sense of ownership and pride.” Streets are wide and lined with sidewalks and mature trees. Grassy lawns are kept well-cut, and cul-de-sacs end in neighborly basketball hoops. With yard sizes at an average of a quarter-acre, there’s space for backyard pools or trampolines. Prices for homes start around $150,000 and get up to $250,000. “It’s a really affordable area, especially compared to the price of Springfield’s newer homes,” Pedigo says.
Franklin Park’s streets tell a story through the decades, homes date from 1970 to the 1990's.
Yard sizes in Franklin Park average a quarter-acre and come with mature trees.
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Students walk to elementary and enjoy special programs in high school
Students are zoned to start at Hazel Dell Elementary School, which gets a C rating on Niche. The elementary school is walkable from some homes, but in 2022, a vote was passed to start a process to combine Hazel Dell with other south-side elementary schools, so the school will move to a new location years down the line. Older students are zoned for Jefferson Middle School, rated C, and Southeast High School, rated B-minus. Southeast High contains the Health Science Academy, which is available for students across the district interested in medical careers. Just two miles south of the neighborhood, the Capital Area Career Center offers specialty courses to public high school students, often with college credit from the Lincoln Land Community College.
Hazel Dell Elementary receives high marks on Niche.com.
Springfield Southeast High School welcomes students from Franklin Park.
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Events at lakeside boat clubs
The neighborhood is less than a mile away from the shores of Lake Springfield, so some of the biggest community centers in the area are boat clubs. The Firefighters Lake Club is open to all members, not just firefighters, and offers boat slips, dining options and a covered pavilion. The club hosts many private events, but some of its most popular are open to the public. Among these are the Lenten Fish Fries, Labor Day Party and a family-focused Truck or Treat Halloween event. Membership is $100 annually with a $150 initiation fee. Over at the Springfield Motor Boat Club, dues are a bit higher, around $700 annually. Membership at this club comes with access to dining facilities, covered boat docks and a beach area for swimming. Bank-side swimming is not typically allowed in Lake Springfield, but the club tests the water twice weekly to ensue it complies with Illinois Department of Public Health regulations.
Some of the biggest community centers in Franklin Park are boat clubs on Lake Springfield.
Marinas hold Franklin Park boats under covered awnings and protect from the elements.
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Minutes from the University of Illinois Springfield
For those heading to the University of Illinois Springfield for work, the college is conveniently located just south of the neighborhood. The short drive is around 2 miles, but a walking path on the neighborhood's south side puts the college only about a mile away for pedestrians and cyclists. Sidewalks line the whole trip over, too. Even for those who don’t work or attend UIS, the UIS Performing Arts Center can be a fun evening trip because it draws in local and national theater, music and dance performances. Hazel Dell Elementary usually takes its students on a field trip to see a performance at the UIS Arts Center every year.
Franklin Park is just minutes away from the University of Illinois Springfield.
UIS is a great public state school accepting students from all over the world to Springfield.
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Close to grocery stores, farther from downtown
There isn’t any retail shopping within the neighborhood, but grocery stores are not too far away. Less than a mile up 11th Street, there’s a shopping center with Walmart and Aldi. For more dining options, downtown Springfield is about 4 miles away. Downtown is also home to major employers like Memorial Hospital and the state government buildings. There are no bus stops within the neighborhood, but a sidewalk runs over to the stop along West Lake Shore Drive. From there, the bus connects to downtown in about 20 minutes.
Walmart delivers everyday goods and essentials to Franklin Park residents,
Downtown Springfield is home to the Illinois State Capital building
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Railroad noise mitigated by an overpass
The railroad runs just west of Franklin Park, but an overpass at the Hazel Dell Road intersection means the train can pass by without sounding its horn. However, there is no overpass at the 11th Street intersection, so the train horn can be heard in the distance. “You can’t hear much from the railroad except in the south end of the neighborhood, and even then, it’s not that frequent at all,” Brandon says.
The overpass at Hazel Dell Road intersection means the train passes without sounding its horn.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jim Fulgenzi,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Tom Madonia Park
Barker Park
Spartan Sports Park
Transit
Airport
Abraham Lincoln Capital
22 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Franklin Park
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Franklin Park, Springfield sell after 3 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Franklin Park, Springfield over the last 12 months is $197,226, up 5% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$200,000
Median Single Family Price
$201,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$123
Last 12 months Home Sales
15
Median List Price
$195,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
-1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
208
Median Year Built
1973
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,652
Significantly above the national average
1,937
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,110
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jim Fulgenzi,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,477
Median Age
27
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.2%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$80,682
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$85,443
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.9%
College Graduates
46.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
16.5%
% Population in Labor Force
51.6%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
7''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
31/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
7/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
34/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
