Editing Carbondale, Illinois (section)

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:SIU Campus Lake.jpg|thumb|Campus Lake]]
Carbondale has 18 public tennis courts. It is home to the Superblock, which is a sports multi-complex with baseball, softball, soccer, football, and track fields. The Carbondale Park District maintains seven parks and an indoor pool for public use. In 2010 the park district opened a new spray park in [[Crispus Attucks]] Park,<ref>[http://thesouthern.com/news/local/article_2d44a046-beee-11df-8947-001cc4c03286.html Thesouthern.com]</ref> and a water park opened in May 2016 at the Superblock.<ref>[http://thesouthern.com/news/local/communities/carbondale/carbondale-to-break-ground-on-water-park/article_332929d6-2409-11e3-9d34-0019bb2963f4.html Thesouthern.com]</ref><ref>[http://thesouthern.com/news/local/communities/carbondale/park-district-secures-line-of-credit-to-complete-splash-park/article_9316d415-366f-508e-a0f6-61f69b440296.html Thesouthern.com]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wsiltv.com/story/31853443/carbondale-splash-park-prepares-to-open-in-a-month |title=Wsiltv.com |access-date=May 1, 2016 |archive-date=May 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503061943/http://www.wsiltv.com/story/31853443/carbondale-splash-park-prepares-to-open-in-a-month |url-status=dead }}</ref> Southern Illinois University's Recreation Center is open to the public; it provides swimming, bowling, rock climbing walls, tennis, basketball, an indoor track, racquetball, weight training, and a variety of exercise equipment.

Carbondale is located near many venues for outdoor activities, including some 14 parks in the immediate vicinity. These include the [[Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge]], the [[Shawnee National Forest]], [[Giant City State Park]], [[Little Grand Canyon]], Piney Creek Ravine, [[Pomona Natural Bridge]], the [[Garden of the Gods Wilderness]] area, and [[Trail of Tears State Park]]. These areas offer opportunities for hiking, boating, biking, and horseback riding.

Five minutes south of Carbondale is the city reservoir, Cedar Lake, which is open to kayaking and canoeing. The north access features several dramatic rock bluffs and secluded bays. Other lakes nearby include [[Little Grassy Lake (Illinois)|Little Grassy Lake]], [[Devils Kitchen Lake]], [[Crab Orchard Lake]], and [[Kinkaid Lake]]. Another more remote location is Cache River Swamp, the northernmost cypress swamp in North America. The surrounding areas also offer hiking and mountain biking.

Also a few minutes south of Carbondale is Jeremy Rochman Memorial Park, established by Barrett Rochman in memory of his son Jeremy "Boo" Rochman, who died in an auto accident at age 19. It features a castle with life-sized figures on a ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' theme.

The [[Shawnee National Forest]], close to Carbondale, is home to many wineries. The [[Shawnee Hills Wine Trail]] visits twelve vineyards in scenic settings, offering local wines and dining facilities. Several of the vineyards are bed-and-breakfasts or offer cabins for close accommodations.

The presence of Southern Illinois University also means that Carbondale area residents can attend Division I events of SIU's "Salukis" sport teams. The mascot term "Salukis" is a reference to a dog breed from ancient Egypt, a nod to the fact that the Southern Illinois region is frequently referred to by the nickname "Little Egypt."