Includes parks, golf courses, pools, marinas, statues, memorials and other recreational facilities.
NOTICE: This page is very much a work in progress and not complete. Additions (within Peoria County) and corrections welcome.
The following information was gathered from a number of sources, many of which are listed on the bibliography page of this website. The Peoria Park District website was also used as a source.
Locations are listed in alphabetical order, with all links opening a new page.
This list includes many parks that no longer exist and not all parks were owned or managed by the Peoria Park District.
AL FRESCO AMUSEMENT PARK
Closed
Privately owned and opened in 1906, featuring a giant Ferris wheel, figure-eight roller coaster, merry-go-around and boat dock. Closed shortly after World War 2.
ALDINE PARK
Closed
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as a small plot in the center of Kingman Avenue where it intersects with Highland Place and Clarendon Place, in Peoria Heights.
ASPEN HILLS
Closed?
Downhill skiing off Farmington Road.
BICYCLE SAFETY TOWN
6518 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria
Safety track and grounds, complete with traffic and road signs, covered area, port-a-potty, picnic tables and drinking fountain and the entire facility is fenced in.
BIELFELDT PARK
5906 North Galena Road, Peoria
Named for donors Gary and Carlotta Bielfeldt.
1990 - Improved with trails, play field, picnic shelters, playground equipment, landscaping
and parking lot.
BLUFF PARK
Closed.
06-21-1872 - A private park owned by Henry Kanne, at Main and Elizabeth (Sheridan Road) Streets.
CAMP WOKANDA
620 Boy Scout Road, Chillicothe, 316 acres
Acquired from the W.D. Boyce Council of the Boy Scouts of America, includes a lake for fishing, dining hall, sleeping cabins, program buildings and tent camping, offers a variety of naturalist tours, environmental education and rental options.
CARVER COMMUNITY CENTER AND POOL
Closed or renamed?
1969 - Center opens with swimming pool, softball field, basketball courts, playground and wading pool.
CENTRAL PARK
Closed.
A large park located at the intersection of North Jefferson Street and Abington Street on what would later become the bus barn and lots for the Peoria Transit Authority. Included many features, with sulphur spring water swimming pools, rides, playgrounds, wild animals, bath house, dancing hall and other attractions.
08-1875 - Bears escaped cages.
CENTRAL POOL
415 West Richmond, Peoria
Land given to city by George Alfs, known as Alfs Field.
11-16-1969 - Central Park pool opens.
CHARTER OAK PARK
5802 Orange Prairie Road, Peoria
Small neighborhood park.
CHARTWELL PARK
2828 Willow Lake Road, Peoria
Small neighborhood park.
COLUMBIA PARK
300 West McClure Avenue, Peoria
1972 - Adjacent to Columbia School.
1970's - Ben Schwartz Memorial Rest area opens, with landscaping, play fields and playground,
brings total park to 6 1/2 acres.
CONSTITUTION GARDENS
Spring and Adams Streets, Peoria, 50 acres
1989 - Gardens open.
COUNTRY CLUB OF PEORIA (PRIVATE)
4700 Grandview Drive, Peoria
COYOTE CREEK GOLF CLUB
8201 W Lancaster Road, Bartonville
Privately owned golf course within a residentual community. More information can be found here.
CREIGHTON WOODS PARK
Off of Creighton Terrace, Peoria
Donated by Gerald Law, 8 acres, with 2 acre playfield.
DETWEILLER GOLF COURSE
8412 N. Galena Road, Peoria, 9 holes
06-19-1963 - Golf course opens with 9 holes.
DETWEILLER MARINA AND PLAYGROUND
Foot of Caroline Street, Peoria
1959 - Marina opens on site of Detweiller Ice Company at foot of Caroline Street, with about
150 slips for up to 36' boats, fishing pier, picnic area, and playfield, on 50 acre site.
DETWEILLER PARK
8327 North Galena Road, Peoria, 760 acres
11-1927 - Thomas Detweiller donates the 661 acre Payson Farm to the Park District. This land was first owned by Zeally Moss, father of William Moss and Mrs. Bradley. Moss sold to riverboat Captain Jacob Littleton who sold to Henry S. Payson in 1882.
05-1933 - Storm destroys Payson Mansion, which was built by Moss.
1933 - Thomas Detweiller donates another 80 acres.
1935 - Road from Mt. Hawley to Galena Road opens.
1930's mid - "As You Like It" performed in park.
3-7-1954 - Corn Stock Theater opens on site of Payson Mansion.
Current facilities include a BMX course, cross country running/skiing, hiking trails, large open playfields, picnic grounds and shelters, play areas, scenic drives, sledding and soccer fields.
DONOVAN GOLF COURSE (AKA NORTH MOOR GOLF COURSE AKA NORTHMOOR GOLF COURSE)
5805 N. Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, 18 holes
09-1927 - Construction begins on North Moor on 143 acres, with 600 car parking lot, and remodeling current farmhouse into a clubhouse.
07-04-1929 - North Moor opens.
7-30-1955 - Observatory opens, between the 13th and 14th holes.
1987 - Renamed Donovan Golf Course after Leo G. Donovan, late Park District Board President.
ENDRES PARK
5100 Willard Road, Peoria
Named for donor Fred C. Endres.
FOREST PARK NATURE CENTER
5809 Forest Park Drive, Peoria
1918-1925 - 2 parcels bought totalling 55 acres, adjacent to Grand View Park, known as
Hillside Park and Terrace Park.
1955 - 170 acres bought from Bill Rutherford to be used for trails.
1958 - Trails cleared, shelters erected for Girl Scouts and YMCA.
1960's - Park District takes over management and land area swells to 535 acres.
1961 - Trails open.
1964 - Sommer House and Forest Park Nature Center open. Land now at over 800 acres.
FRANCISCAN RECREATION COMPLEX
908 Sterling Avenue, West Peoria
Multi-purpose recreation center, featuring a full-size gymnasium, multi-purpose room with kitchenette, community room with kitchenette, dance studio, soccer field, two baseball fields, and outdoor playground.
GALENA MARINA
8414 North Galena Road, Peoria
Facility includes boat ramp, picnic area with grills, restrooms, parking and open river front with free boat launching.
GARFIELD PARK
Closed.
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as two small plots of land in the center of Montclair Avenue where it intersects with Highland Place and Belmont Place in Peoria Heights.
GERMANIA PARK
Closed.
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as Reservoir Boulevard (War Memorial Drive) on the north and west (the curving part of the hill, which was then the location of the Peoria Heights Street Rail Road), Berlin Avenue (Wilson Avenue) on the south, and behind the homes on the west side of Yale Street. This is approximately the location of the old Reservoir Grade School.
GIANT OAK PARK
426 West High Street, Peoria
9-6-1971 - Park dedicated, at West Main and High Streets.
1974 - Park officially named Giant Oak Park.
1976 - Burr oak designated as a Bicentennial Tree. Tree is over 300 years old, with a 13' circumference,
and branches that span 100 feet.
GLENDALE PARK
Closed.
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as between the Road To Springdale Cemetery (Perry Avenue) on the west, what was then Glendale Avenue (no longer exists) on the north , the Rock Island Peoria Rail Road tracks on the east, and to the south, roughly what was then Tinker Avenue (Park Avenue).
GLEN OAK PARK (AKA BIRKET'S HOLLOW)
2218 North Prospect Road, Peoria, 117 acres
09-06-1894 - Park district purhcases 72 acres for $60,000.
12-05-1894 - Park District purchases another 20 acres for $20,000.
02-20-1895 - Park is officially named Glen Oak Park.
04-1895 - Work begins on park development.
09-07-1896 - Park is dedicated, opening with 2 1/6 miles of drives, walkways, waterways, playgrounds, floral displays, with entrance at Perry and Abington, horse fountains, baseball diamonds, football grounds, half mile bicycle and foot race course. Buildings included the pavilion, conservatory, greenhouses, band stand (where the shuffleboard courts are today near the pavilion) and an 80 foot flagpole.
The pavilion included a small animal collection, museum, meeting rooms, ladie's parlor, men's smoking room and large hall. Additions included an iron fire escape in 1910.
Peoria Mayor William M. Allen, Board member trustee, at dedication said: "In the name of God I accept this park on behalf of the people of the Park District, to be used by them forever as a park."
1897 - Bridge constructed but later replaced by a masonary one.
1897 - Small toilet house added near Palm House.
1897 - Peoria County Old Settlers Association build a 2 room log cabin which was destroyed by termites. Rebuilt in 1927 and a third version built in 1958 which was moved to W. H. Sommer Park in the 1990's.
06-05-1897 - First Field Day of the Peoria Public Schools in park, with foot racing, jumping, ladder climbing, wand and flag drills, and maneuvers.
10-11-1899 - Cannon dedicated. Spanish-American war cannon captured from Morro Castle, Santiago, Cuba. Made in Seville, Spain, June 25, 1845, weighing 1,275 pounds, with bore of 152mm. Cannon's name is "Arapiles".
05-1900 - Field Day added events of flags, pennants and Maypoles.
1902 - Iron suspension bridge built, joining the picnic grounds and log cabin.
1902 - Miniature railroad, 2000 feet long, with locomotive and 3 cars, open.
1902 - The Lake, or Lagoon, opens. 90,000 cubic yards of material were moved to form a 4 1/2 acre lake with Rose Island, connected by stone bridge. Rose Island had beds of roses and walks and a summer house with seating. Boat house on shore, with boat rentals, also used for skaters in winter. Stone fort, or parapet where Spanish Cannon is placed. The lake was illuminated at night with electric lights. Rose Island becomes Bird Island as peacocks, pheasants, quail and doves were added in the late 1930's.
1905 - Concrete bridge built.
1906 - Kinsey sundial donated.
1907-1908 - Ten acres added to park for barns and paddock for deer and elk.
10-28-1911 - Robert Ingersoll Monument dedicated. Standing 14' tall, made by Fritz Triebel of Peoria in his studio in Genoa, Italy.
1918 - Grove of trees dedicated to war dead on a 10 acre parcel known as the Gorman Tract, where the
conservatory and botanical gardens now sit. Many of these trees died of Dutch Elm, with some replanted near present day tennis courts.
1919 - Wooden latticed pergola opens at 100 feet by 15 feet with center dome 20 feet high.
1920 - First Annual Ice Carnival on the lagoon.
1920's - 7 tennis courts added, with more added in 1930.
1921 - Prospect Road entrance fully developed.
1921 - Added 3 acres to park site for building of Glen Oak Pool near Perry.
1920's mid - Archery target house and bridal paths added.
8-26-1931 - Peoria County Old Settlers Association build monument with shaft 26 1/2" tall. Monument is 11' in diameter and 33' in circumference with 15,000 stones, with another 10,000 stones buried in a trench around it. An 18" square copper box time capsule is inside. The monument sits within the zoo grounds.
06-26-1934 - Ernest H. Wilson Memorial Garden dedicated in sunken gardens on Perry.
1930's late - New entrance off Gift Street, completed with WPA labor and paved of brick.
1935 - Peoria Historical Grove dedicated. Now part of zoo grounds. Plaque at site set in
stone made of bronze.
1935 - WMBD Juvenile Theatre performed.
1936 - Collection of South American monkeys on display in pavilion basement.
1937 - Same monkeys moved into the old bandstand, then into their own outdoor cage.
1940's - Himalayan Bear pits located below lagoon off Abington open. World War II postponed opening bears to public. The building was later used for housing ponies for children's rides.
1940's late - Part of monkey cage used to house 2 lions, who then have cubs.
1950's-1960's - Joe Frisco animal shows held on zoo grounds.
1960 fall - Old bandstand closes.
1960's - New ampitheater opens, covering part of and closing Bird Island.
1970's - Adventure Playground opens.
1973 - Renovation of conservatory and gardens. Rose Garden redesigned and relocated in front of conservatory.
1976 - Friends of Glen Oak Zoo (FOGOZ) formed.
1978 - 50 foot jet fountain added in center of lagoon.
1987 - Glen Oak gardens renamed George L. Luthy Memorial Botanical Garden.
05-21-1988 - R. G. LeTourneau Memorial dedicated with statue by Keith Knoblock.
1989 - African Plains exhibit area opens at zoo.
1991 - Tricentennial Playground opens.
1992 - New lion exhibit opens at zoo.
no date - Kinsey Fountain, near Prospect Road entrance.
no date - Service building turns into Bio-Center.
Current facilities include Park District Administrative and Recreation Offices, baseball diamonds, biking/hiking trail, fishing lagoon, fitness area and trail, Glen Oak Amphitheatre, Glen Oak Zoo, Luthy Memorial Botanical Garden, picnic shelter, lighted shuffleboard courts, tennis courts and Tricentennial and other smaller Playgrounds.
No information found on the extensive walkways within the hills leading from upper to lower parts of park and along the sulphur springs creek leading up behind the zoo.
GLEN OAK POOL
Closed
07-17-1922 - Glen Oak pool opens.
08-20-1922 - Johnny Weissmuller visits and breaks the 500 meter record by 4 seconds at the pool.
1923 - 14,000 sq feet capacity water boiler added, believed only heated outdoor public pool in the country.
1930's - Children's wading pool added.
1948 - Pool reopens, apparently after being closed during World War 2.
GOLF LEARNING CENTER
7815 N. Radnor Road, Peoria
Includes both indoor and outdoor practice facilities, with indoor putting green, an area with nets for practice and lessons, a full-service pro shop and food service. Outdoors, it offers all-weather tees on the driving range, a 9-hole pitch and putt course, a practice putting green, and practice sand bunkers. The driving range, complete with covered, heated hitting stations, consists of re-created hole layouts.
GRAND VIEW DRIVE AND PARK
Along Grandview Drive, Peoria and Peoria Heights, 342 acres
10-14-1903 - Ground broken for drive along Prospect Heights, dedicated as Prospect Heights Driveway.
12-07-1904 - Park renamed Grand View Drive, length of drive is 4 1/2 miles.
Terrace Park is a plat within the park. See Forest Park notes.
1904 - Plat known as Tower Park opens a 72 foot tall by 16 square foot tower, with 126 steps to the top at elevation of 450 feet above river level.
1906 - Latticed belvedere constructed at Gibson Point, near Roosevelt Road.
10-1910 - Former President Theodore Roosevelt says while on the drive, "I have traveled
all over the world, and this is the world's most beautiful drive."
1911 - A 3.58 acre strip of land added to park, called Gibson Pathway, which connected the
end of the street car line and Al Fresco Park (private). The romantic pathway had alcove seats,
drinking fountains and incandescent lamps.
1917 - Another playground and picnic grounds are added to park.
1919 - Pavilion of 86' x 50' feet, with 10' veranda, and 30' x 54' foot dance floor and small
office, storage and concession stand opens.
1920 - Memorial to war dead bult by citizens of Averyville.
1920's - 37 acres from the Schoaff property added to park, with a Japanese house for parties
and picnics, called Grand View Point, with fireplaces.
1920's mid - Tower gets new metal roof and 2 coats of paint.
1940's mid - Tower torn down to use metal in World War 2 effort.
1949 - Belvedere destroyed by vandals.
1986 - Pavilion renovated and rededicated on Memorial Day, 1987.
Current facilities include scenic overlooks of the Illinois River Valley. picnic benches, ball diamond, hiking trail access, play areas, sand volleyball court and picnic shelter.
GWYNN FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER
809 W. John Gwynn Street, Peoria
Outdoor facility with zero depth pool and play equipment, water slide, diving well and wet sand play area.
HARRIET PARK
Closed
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as a small plot at the intersection of Kingman Avenue, Euclid Avenue, and Park Place, in Peoria Heights.
HEART OF ILLINOIS SPECIAL RECREATION ASSOCIATION
8727 N. Pioneer Road, Peoria
Provides quality recreation programs and services to individuals with disabilities and special needs.
HOWARD KINSEY PARK
210 acres in Kickapoo Township.
HUMBOLDT PARK
Closed
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as a triangular shape east of Euclid Avenue, north of Sunset Place (I believe this is now White Oak Court) and the alley on the east, in Peoria Heights.
IRIS PARK
Intersection of Allen Road and Northmoor Road, Peoria
Named for Iris Wasson, daughter of donor Irvie Wasson.
JAMES W. BALDWIN RIVERFRONT FESTIVAL PARK
Water and Fayette Streets, Peoria
Doing more research.
JOHN C. PROCTOR RECREATION CENTER AND PUBLIC BATHS
309 S. DuSable, Peoria
This was a privately owned facility when it opened.
1913 - Center opens, on 5 acres with pool, showers, men's and women's gyms, locker rooms, toilets, bowling alley, auditorium with stage and dressing rooms, billiard room, library, reading room, kitchen, club and meeting rooms, boys and girls playfields, wading pool, running track, baseball diamond and tennis courts.
1932 end - Center closed due to depression.
10-23-1935 - Center reopens.
1970 - Study center, library, meeting and other rooms dedicated as Neve Harms
Memorial Room.
Current facilities are two gymnasiums, an auditorium complete with stage, a lounge area with television, weight room, arts and crafts room, a game room, basketball courts, playground, swimming and wading pool, and play field area.
JOHN MARTIN BECKER PARK
3400 West Woodhill Lane, Peoria
7-11-1984 - Park dedicated, near Molleck Drive and West Richwoods Blvd., with 20 acres. Named after John Martin Becker, the brother of Ray Becker, a young Peorian killed in 1945 in an attack on a hospital in the South Pacific.
Used for Bradley University soccer practice.
JUBILEE COLLEGE STATE PARK
13921 W. Route 150, Brimfield, 3,200 acres
05-15-1972 - Golf course dedicated, 2 courses, 204 acres, named for Howard D. Kellogg, member
of the Park District Board from 1943-1957.
10-28-1972 - Clubhouse dedicated
LAKEVIEW PARK (CURRENT)
Corner of West Lake and and University Streets, Peoria, 40 acres
Formerly a private girls camp grounds from 1920-1954.
1957 - Ice rink and pool open, as well as the Peoria Players Theater building. Small
time capsule buried within pool building, opened during renovations in 1977.
10-4-1980 - Owens Recreation Center dedicated. Pool renovated with deck and wading pool.
1980's - Privately managed water park added.
07-01-1994 - Family Aquatic Center opens.
no dates - YWCA, Kickapoo Council of Girl Scouts, library branch open.
Current facilities include Kickapoo Council Girl Scouts Headquarters, Lakeview Family Aquatic Center, Lakeview Museum, Owens Recreation Center, Peoria Public Library Lakeview Branch, play area, Peoria Players Theatre and YWCA Lakeview.
LAKEVIEW PARK (OLD)
Closed
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity", shows the location on the northern side of Grant Street, off North Adams Street, across Grant from Woodruff Field. The Atlas shows a large track-like oval where auto, bicycle and horse races were held. The Atlas has the boundaries as Broadway (no longer exists), Grant Street and the Illinois River shore.
LAURA BRADLEY PARK
1500 North Park Road, Peoria, 140 acres
1881 - Lydia Moss Bradley gives 135 acres to the City Of Peoria.
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows a narrow strip of land called Bradley Park along the east side of what is now Park Road, extending just north of what is now Farmington Road, to what is now Nebraska Avenue, with what was then called "Bradley Farm" on the east.
02-13-1895 - City of Peoria gives land to Park District.
1897 - Work begins on development of park.
1902 - Pavilion begins construction. Two story brick building in lower park overlooking Dry Run Creek, with walkways.
1903 - Pavilion opens.
10-15-1902 - Statue of Christopher Columbus, placed in the center of the intersection of Columbia Terrace and North Institute Place. One of 5 copies made by Alfons Pelzer of Salem, Ohio, nine foot high on a twenty-two foot high pedestal, weighing 78 tons Lights were added in 1930. Statue repaired and moved to Bradley Park at present location in 1947. Temporarily removed in 1957 to storage and returned in 1960 on Columbus Day. Nita K. Sunderland made more repairs and it was rededicated on Columbus Day, 1984, on a taller pedestal.
1904 - Band Stand opens, built of iron and copper.
1904 - Pergola near pavilion opens, with fountain in center.
1908 - Donated cannon added to park from Spanish-American war, captured in Maila, Philippines.
Cast in Seville, Spain, on 12-3-1776. Given to Peoria by Brigadier General Lloyd Wheaton
who had left Peoria in 1861 at age 22 for Civil War, returning with cannon on 11-3-1899. First
placed behind city hall and sometimes fired. Donated to park district in 1908 and placed on
cement platform in Bradley Park opposite Columbia Terrace next to an 80 foot flag pole. It
was later removed, put in storage and disappeared for over 20 years. Found in use at
Rockford, returned to Peoria, placed in front of Flanagan House and rededicated 07-10-1981.
1909 - Tennis courts and later croquet courts added.
1909 - Statue of Hebe, Greek goddess of youth, added as memorial to Laura Bradley at Main St. entrance. Statue was 15'8", with lights and fountain. Removed in 1954 after being hit by car. Plaque now sits at the location.
1909 - Elk moved from Glen Oak Park to Bradley Park, to live in a shelter house and enclosure.
1920's early - Old swamp or frog pond becomes artificial lake or wading pool and ice skating rink.
1920's - Japanese garden, tea house, and bridge constructed.
1920's mid - 163 acres added from Bradley Polytechnic Institute, for $65,000, bringing total
acreage to 303.
1920's - Roque courts added.
1929 - Ski jump added.
1955 - Corn Stock Theater moves to Bradley Park from Detweiller Park. Tent placed on site of former model gas car track.
1960's - Pavilion demolished.
Current facilities include Equipment Service Center Offices, baseball diamonds, Corn Stock Theatre, frisbee golf, lighted horseshoe pits, picnic shelter, play areas, sand volleyball courts, lighted shuffleboard courts, sledding and tennis courts.
LEONARD B. MARSHALL JR. MEMORIAL PLAZA
Water Street at Hamilton Boulevard, Peoria
Interactive fountain, marina access and spectacular views of the Illinois River. The Gateway Fountain was presented to the City of Peoria by Mr. and Mrs. Gordon S. Peters in honor of their parents.
LEVEE (AKA LEVY), ECKWOOD AND STEAMBOAT LANDING
Closed
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as Water Street from about Liberty Street to Fayette Street east to the Illinois River shore. Steamboats tied up here.
LESLIE RUTHERFORD PARK
236 acres in Radnor Township.
LIBERTY PARK
Foot of Liberty Street at Water Street, Peoria
Includes a gazebo.
LINCOLN PARK
Lincoln Avenue, Peoria
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as south of Lincoln Street, roughly between Louisa and Helen Streets.
LOGAN RECREATION CENTER (AKA LOGAN PARK AND POOL)
1414 SW Livingston, Peoria
1921 - Park District buys 4.28 acres for $5,000. Park named for Civil War General John Logan.
Much of land leveled to build baseball diamond and open play areas.
07-03-1922 - Logan pool fieldhouse open.
1940's - New filtration system added to pool.
1947 - Pool reopens, apparently after being closed during World War 2.
1985 - New bathhouse added and pool renovated.
1964 - Logan ice rink opens.
12-20-1972 - Enclosed ice rink dedicated. Building is 230' long, 130' wide and 40' tall.
1980 - Park renamed Logan Center.
1981 spring - Storm damages enclosed rink, closing it forever.
Current features are three lighted basketball courts, a new soccer field with a practice kickboard, two new picnic pavilions, new playground equipment, new blacktop playground, new multi-purpose room, lounge area with television and VCR.
LOVE KNOWS NO CASTE STATUE
"Love Knows No Caste" sculpture by Fritz Triebel, sculpted for the home of Joseph B. Greenhut. Statue move with family to New Jersey, then returned by them to Peoria and eventually given to the Park District. First placed in storage for a number of years, then displayed in the Glen Oak conservatory in the 1950's. Moved to lobby of Peoria City Hall where it sits today.
MADISON PARK GOLF COURSE
2735 West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Peoria, 18 holes
09-06-1894 Land purchase by Park District of 86 acres for $45,000. First rented out to farmers as pasture for $80 a year.
1895 - Roadway, playground and floral displays added.
1895 - 2.31 acres are added along Seventh.
1904 - Shelter and swinging bridge added.
1909 - 9 holes of golf added, with small rustic bridge and large suspension bridgesuspension bridge, fountains and walks.
1920's mid - More land purchases bring total acres to 163.
1925 - Back 9 holes of golf completed.
11-1929 - Golf course annexed to city.
Park also had a rifle range for practice by park and city police.
MANNING PARK
Off of Queens Court Road, Peoria
Small neighborhood park.
MARKWOODLANDS PARK
6001 North Frostwood Parkway, Peoria
Next to Mark Bills School.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. (DR.) PARK
825 West McBean, Peoria
1978 - Park opens with restrooms, playground, basketball courts and parking.
MORTON SQUARE PARK
901 NE Monroe Street, Peoria
Appears on the 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" as "Morton Park", with corner-to-corner sidewalks laid out, joining a large circular walk in the center. I believe there was once a large fountain in the center of this circle walk.
Land donated to City of Peoria and used as a park since the mid-1800's.
1954 - Park turned over to Park District.
1950's - Leslie Kenyon remodeled small building, with public lavatories and glass rock windows.
1950's - 1960's - A baseball diamond added at corner of Perry and Evans. Center walkways removed. Playground equipment upgraded. Many planned daily activities during summer, with crafts, box hockey, story telling, outdoor movies on the grass and field trips.
MT. HAWLEY COUNTRY CLUB (PRIVATE)
7724 N Knoxville Ave, Peoria, 18 holes
Steam locomotive built in Schenedctady, NY, in 1909 by the American Locomotive Company. Used for 43 years
by Rock Island Lines. Last run on 3-19-1952. First placed in lower Glen Oak Park, it was refurbished and moved in 1963 to Detweiller Park. Moved in 1984 to Wheels O' Time Museum where it is on loan.
PEORIA PLEASURE DRIVEWAY AND PARK DISTRICT GENERAL INFORMATION:
03-15-1894 - Peoria Pleasure Driveway and Park District formed after a vote of
2,672 to 1,110.
06-1897 - First Field Day celebrated.
10-15-1902 - Columbus statue dedicated in The Uplands, later moved to
Bradley Park.
08-30-1918 - First Inter-Playground Athletic Meet between all parks. Name was
changed in 1919 to the Public Playground Festival.
10-26-1937 - Park District takes over Peoria Airport.
1939 - Forest Park Foundation forms.
07-26-1950 - Airport turned over to new Greater Peoria Airport Authority.
01-1963 - Peoria City Recreation Department and Peoria Park District merge.
PEORIA STADIUM
War Memorial Drive, Peoria
Still doing research.
PIMITEOUI TRAIL
Eckwood Park
1967 - Developed by the Girl Scouts, 10 mile trail from Eckwood Park to Detweiller Park.
June 1983 - Reopens after disuse.
PROSPECT PARK
See Forest Park
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as along Prospect Road from what is now Forest Park Drive on the north, the bluffs on the east, and extending south along Kingman Avenue. The present boundaries of this park are different, with parts of the park now within Forest Park and Grandview Drive Park.
PUBLIC SQUARE (UNNAMED)
Closed
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as between Central and Atlantic Streets, north of Kansas Street and south of President Street (Frye Avenue). This was a one square block public park.
RACOON LAKES
Limestone Township
Campground for several years.
RIVERFRONT MARINA
Along riverfront downtown, Peoria
Doing more research.
RIVERFRONT PARK
Foot of Main Street
1985 - 18 acres under development.
1987 - Flag Day dedication.
RIVERPLEX RECREATION AND WELLNESS CENTER
600 NE Water Street, Peoria
A joint project between the Peoria Park District and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. It is an 118,000 square-foot facility complete with a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor aquatic park, multipurpose arena, pro shop, activity room, classrooms and more.
ROBINSON PARK
2825 Mossville Road, Peoria
1951 - Land donated to Park District by Laurence Eugene and Erma Seaton Robinson, known to them
as Big Horn Farm. Would become over 900 acres.
1982 - Pimiteoui Nature Preserve opens.
1990 - Former Boy Scout Camp Wokonda bought by Park District and added to Robinson.
ROCK ISLAND TRAIL
Peoria County
Stretching for 26 miles from Alta, in Peoria County, to Toulon, in Stark County, the park offers many natural and architectural attractions in a tree-canopied corridor that is only 50 to 100 feet wide. Complete information can be found here.
ROCKY GLEN PARK
Limestone Township
40 acres in Limestone Township.
ROLLING RIVER PLAYGROUND
600 NE Water Street, Peoria
Playground adjacent to the Riverplex Center.
SHEA STADIUM (AKA MEINEN FIELD)
1968 - Field opens.
7-15-1971 - Named for John I. Meinen, Bradley University athletic director.
1983 - Class A baseball team returns, Peoria Suns.
1983- late - Team purchased by Pete Vonochen, who renames team "The Chiefs".
1991 - New facilities renamed "Harold A. 'Pete' Vonachen Stadium at Meinen Field".
1970 to 2002 - Park was also home to the Bradley University baseball team.
10-25-2002 - Stadium was converted into a 1,700 seat soccer stadium for Bradley and renamed Shea Stadium.
STATE PARK (AKA STATE HOUSE SQUARE)
Closed
1836 - Land set aside by developers as possible site of new State Capitol, lost to Springfield.
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as roughly between Fifth and Third Streets and Fisher and Sanford Streets.
1953 - Land turned over to Park District.
1982 - Faucett Field at State Park dedicated.
SPIRIT OF PEORIA RIVERBOAT
Foot of Main Street, Peoria
Sculpted by Otto Triebel, first placed at Peoria County Courthouse, then on display at
Glen Oak Zoo.
SYLVAN PARK (AKA SPRING HILL PARK)
Closed
1889 - Located along Spring Street between Glendale and Glen Oak, which would later become the Proctor Endowment Home. Park included a huge ampitheater, playground, half-mile toboggan slide and balloon rides, 10 car roller coaster, and a square sided artificial lake.
TREWYN PARK (AKA SOUTH PARK)
2219 South Idaho Street, Peoria
09-29-1894 land purchase by Park District of 10 acres for $7,500. Opens as South Park.
1898 - Pavilion, 40' x 30', completed for $1,410. Damaged by fire and replaced in 1913.
1898 - "Out In The Rain" fountain of boy and girl holding an umbrella paid for by donations.
1898 - Playground with 24 swings, 12 teeter-totters, 2 slides, 2 merry-go-rounds, 1 rock-a-bye swing, a playhouse and 2 large sand lots opens.
1898 - Concrete and stucco squirrel house and 75' x 160' croquet grounds open.
1916 - 2 story bandstand completed near pavilion.
1937 - Park renamed Trewyn Park after South Side physician, William Thomas Trewyn.
UNNAMED PARK
Closed
The 1893 "Allen's New Atlas of the City of Peoria and Vicinity" shows the boundaries as a triangluar shaped lot at the intersection of Rock Island Avenue, Monroe Street, and Van Buren Avenue, in Averyville.
VICARY BOTTOMS DOG EXERCISE AREA
Kickapoo Creek Road, Peoria
Exercise park for well-trained dogs. Not fenced and there are no facilities.
WATER WORKS PARK (AKA SHADY BEACH)
Closed
Located at the foot of Lorentz Street off of North Adams Street, just north of the present day McCluggage Bridge, behind the water works.
W. H. SOMMER PARK
6329 Koerner Road, Peoria, 320 acres
1952 - Sisters of St. Francis buy land but dont develop.
1963 - Land added to Park District with 320 acres. Koerner family cemetery is in park. Named for William H. Sommer, Bill Rutherford's father-in-law and one time president of Keystone Steel & Wire.
1971 - Ancient Oaks Day Camp opens.
1990 - Old Settlers cabin from Glen Oak Park transfered to Sommer Park.
WILDLIFE PRAIRIE STATE PARK (AKA THE HAZEL AND BILL RUTHERFORD WILDLIFE PRAIRIE STATE PARK)
3826 N. Taylor Rd., Hanna City, 2,000 acres