Springfield, Massachusetts - Geography

Geography

Springfield is located at 42°6′45″N 72°32′51″W / 42.1125°N 72.5475°W / 42.1125; -72.5475 (42.112411, −72.547455). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 33.2 square miles (86 km2) of which 32.1 square miles (83 km2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) (3.31%) is water. Over 4 sq. mi of Springfield's land area is parkland, (over 12% of its total land area.)

Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River, near confluence of two major tributary rivers: the western Westfield River, which flows into the Connecticut across from Springfield's South End Bridge; and the eastern Chicopee River, which flows into the Connecticut les than 0.5miles north of Springfield, in the bordering city of Chicopee. Springfield lies just 4 miles (6.4 km) north of the Connecticut state-line. It is located in the fertile Connecticut River Valley, surrounded by mountains, bluffs, and rolling hills in all directions. Springfield's Metro Center and Main Street, which follow the north-south trajectory of the Connecticut River, are fairly low and flat; however, they become hilly and feature prominent bluffs as one moves south and eastward.

Springfield's 2nd most prominent topographical feature is the city's 735 acres (2.97 km2) Forest Park, designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Forest Park lies in the southwestern corner of the city, surrounded by Springfield's attractive garden districts Forest Park and Forest Park Heights, which feature over 600 Victorian Painted Lady mansions. Forest Park also borders Western Massachusetts' most affluent town, Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Springfield shares borders with other well-heeled suburbs such as East Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Ludlow and the de-industrializing city of Chicopee. The small cities of Agawam and West Springfield, Massachusetts lie less than one miles (1.6 km) across the Connecticut River from Springfield's Metro Center.

Springfield owns Cobble Mountain Reservoir and its water supply – one of the United States' purest – located in the towns of Blandford, Granville and Russell, respectively, at the western edge of Hampden County. It also owns Franconia Golf Course, located partly in Springfield, but mostly in East Longmeadow.