Project Status: The District is currently awaiting appropriation of state funding.
History: Built in 1894, Glen Oak Park was the first park in the Peoria Park District system. Today, it is home to Peoria Zoo, Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum, Luthy Botanical Garden, Glen Oak Lagoon, Glen Oak Amphitheatre, Rotary Adventure Grove, three playgrounds, two shelters, as well as tennis courts and pickleball courts. With all of these amenities, Glen Oak Park ALSO serves as the neighborhood park for the East Bluff and North Valley neighborhoods.
Acting as both a regional draw and a neighborhood park with usable green space of only about 42 acres, the District recognizes the need to reimagine the park in order to maximize its impact for both groups.
As part of its COVID response in 2020, the District suspended operations at Glen Oak Amphitheatre, which is home to an average of 15 large public gatherings per year. The remainder of the year, the large footprint of the amphitheater is inaccessible behind a barbed wire fence, which also obstructs sight lines to the Glen Oak Lagoon.
Upcoming Opportunities: The District doesn’t have any upcoming public input sessions. View the recorded Public Input Session here from August 16, 2021 in Glen Oak Park.
Future Focus: The proposed plan includes a new fully accessible playground, new recreation shelters, new restrooms, and new basketball courts.
More resources:
Contact: Please e-mail us at [email protected]
At its October 26 board meeting, the Peoria Park District Board of Trustees agreed by consensus to invite the PAV in the Park organizers to present at its November 16, 2022 Board meeting in order to provide a status update on the project, any changes that may have made to their proposal or strategy since last fall, and any other relevant information that they’d like to share.
After they have presented, the District will subsequently gather public input, and then hear an agenda item at the December 14, 2022 board meeting with the goal of formally voting on whether the proposed public private partnership in Donovan Park should receive future consideration by the Board of Trustees.
The District has also provided notice of this agenda item to the Friends of Donovan Park as well as to the general public so that the Board may hear from any interested parties as part of their considerations.
There are many ways the public can provide feedback to the District, including:
- Attend the November 16th Peoria Park District Board Meeting. The meeting will begin at 5pm, and the public can share their feedback during the “Citizens Request to Address the Board” agenda item.
- Virtually watch the November 16th meeting via Facebook Live or Zoom. If you would like to address the Board, you can orally comment via Zoom during the “Citizens Request to Address the Board” agenda item.
- E-Mailing public comments to [email protected]. All input will be compiled and shared with the Board.
Resources:
About Donovan Park:
Amidst the gently rolling topography of bustling Peoria is Donovan Park, a nature lover’s dream. Adjacent to the Rock Island Greenway, the park is filled with open green space and a collection of trees that tell of the property’s deep-rooted history as a savanna habitat turned farm turned golf course and back again. Trails that meander through restored prairies, young and old trees, and open no-mow areas welcome walkers, runners, and cross-country skiers. It’s also home to Northmoor Observatory, Cyd’s in the Park and the Donovan Sculpture Garden. Earlier this year, Peoria Park District staff applied for Donovan Park to be an arboretum and celebrated the accomplishment in May. The Arbnet Level 1 Accreditation, marked Peoria’s first accredited arboretum.
District staff and trustees look forward to helping to facilitate an open, transparent process as we work through this requested action.
Thank you for your passionate interest in our community.
Contact: Please e-mail us at [email protected]
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