Founded in 1894, the Peoria Park District is the oldest park district in Illinois, serving approximately 122,000 residents across nearly 60 square miles. With nearly 9,000 acres of parks and open space, the District plays an important role in creating a healthy, vibrant community through recreation, education, conservation and opportunities to connect.
From neighborhood parks and playgrounds to more than 56 miles of hiking and biking trails, the Peoria Park District provides opportunities to explore the outdoors, experience nature and stay active. The District is also committed to preserving natural areas, restoring habitats and connecting people with nature through environmental education and conservation programs.
The District is home to some of the region’s most recognized attractions, including Peoria Zoo, Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum and Luthy Botanical Garden in Glen Oak Park. Throughout the community, patrons can enjoy four golf courses and the Golf Learning Center, year-round ice skating at Owens Center, multiple recreation centers, athletic fields, sports programs and the RiverPlex, a state-of-the-art recreation and wellness facility.
Each year, the District hosts hundreds of concerts, festivals and special events along the Peoria RiverFront and throughout its spaces and places, bringing people together, celebrating our community’s diversity and adding to the vibrancy of the region.
The Peoria Park District’s commitment to excellence is reflected in national accreditations across the organization, including its most recent achievement in 2026 through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This recognition joins a growing list of professional accreditations across the District, including Peoria Zoo’s accreditation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the District’s summer camps accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), and ArbNet arboretum accreditation for Luthy Botanical Garden and Donovan Park. Together, these distinctions reflect the District’s commitment to meeting national standards, providing quality experiences and continually improving how we serve our community.
Whether you’re exploring a trail, discovering something new, enjoying a community event or spending time with family and friends, there’s always more to explore at the Peoria Park District!
