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Whether it’s sailing down the slide into the Kluthe Memorial Pool or spending a quiet day on the lake trying to catch "the big one," there are plenty of enjoyable recreational activities – both on and off the water – for the young and young at heart.

When deciding what to do in your spare time, a good place to start is the Effingham Park District. Its facilities include recreation of all kinds for all people. Modern gyms, multipurpose rooms and more make up the district’s rec center, located on the grounds of one of the city’s three parks. These parks include courts for tennis enthusiasts, ball diamonds for public and league use, and wooded trails for a quiet walk or long hike. The Kluthe Memorial Pool serves thousands looking for some water play, and next to it is an 18-hole miniature golf course. Effingham parks also boast well-equipped playgrounds, clean picnic areas and a variety of well-organized sports activities throughout the entire year.

The Effingham YMCA serves the area as well, with its full gymnasium, racquetball court, aerobics and weight rooms. The YMCA also has a four-acre outdoor program area for baseball and soccer.

Effingham is also home to 800 acres of beautiful water at Lake Sara, which is surrounded by a wooded shoreline and Lake Sara Beach. Clean, modern campgrounds, resort cabins and plenty of picnic facilities draw outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Locals and visitors are lured here for the bountiful fishing, boating and water skiing opportunities. Many residents have made lakeside homes for themselves.

Avid golfers find Effingham to be plentiful in courses, with the 18-hole Effingham Country Club and Cardinal Public Golf Course, in addition to the 9-hole Four-Way Challenge course.

A short drive in any direction will prove that if it’s not in Effingham, it’s very close. East Central Illinois is home to limitless outdoor adventure. Nature trails for hiking or biking are located at several state parks within a 30-mile radius of Effingham, including one which is also home to the 19,000-acre Lake Shelbyville. The incredible Shawnee National Forest with thousands of unspoiled acres is a short drive down a scenic Illinois road.

And for those who like the buzz of the city atmosphere, Effingham sports multi-screen movie theaters offering the latest releases in stereo surround sound, two state-of-the-art bowling alleys where folks can enjoy some friendly competition and off-track horse racing. And what about the nightlife in Effingham? It’s booming, with several popular gathering places offering live entertainment, dancing, pool, darts and plenty of conversation.