Places
Parks and open space improve our physical and psychological health, strengthen our communities, and make our cities and neighborhoods more attractive places to live and work. Numerous studies have shown the social, environmental, economic, and health benefits parks bring to a community and its people. The Peoria Park District invites you to visit one of our many parks and places to enjoy the great outdoors! Parks in the Peoria Park District are open from dawn to dusk, with some amenities open until 11pm.
Questions about our park system? Use our Contact Us page or give us a call at 682-1200.
Donovan Park
Peoria, IL
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 (as weather permits). Donovan offers an observatory open to the public, a sculpture garden, fishing in three ponds, several picnic tables, and Cyd’s in the Park – a locally owned gourmet restaurant. Donovan is an urban gem of the Peoria Park District and an accredited Level 1 Arboretum.
Northmoor Observatory* is also located on the grounds.
AMENITIES
Cyd's Gourmet Kitchen
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Fishing
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Pets Welcome
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Picnic Tables
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Public Restrooms
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Shelters
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Trails / Hiking
Endres Park
Peoria Heights, IL
With a lot of fun packed in a small package, Endres is a neighborhood park with a ton of fun!
AMENITIES
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Pets Welcome
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Picnic Table(s)
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Playground(s)
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Shelter(s)
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Sled Hill
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Soccer Field(s)
Forest Park Nature Center
Peoria Heights, IL
Do you enjoy bird watching or hiking? Forest Park Nature Center is for you! Forest Park Nature Center offers seven miles of trails for hiking and nature enjoyment and is home to a gift shop that carries bird feeding and hiking necessities. Interested in learning more about nature and all that it entails? Forest Park Nature Center has classes for adults and children alike, covering topics from bats to bugs and everything in between. Guided hiking tours are also available.
Franciscan Recreation Complex
West Peoria, Peoria
The Peoria Park District has your one-stop shop in West Peoria for recreation, fitness, and fun!
Located in West Peoria, Franciscan Recreation Center features a full size gym that can be rented for limited special events, leagues, and practices/games. This location offers great select programming, including pickleball and volleyball open gyms and more! Starting in December or early 2023, FRC will be the new home for the Peoria Regional Learning Center.
Franciscan Recreation Complex has a 0.5 mile loop trail that is paved and fairly level.
Franciscan Recreation Complex Layout
For program and event inquiries, please contact [email protected] or (309) 681-2677
Giant Oak Park
Peoria, Illinois 61606
At one acre, Giant Oak Park is one of the District’s smallest parks, with a single tree and a giant name.
It contains a small parking and picnic area, and is home to a large burr oak tree, believed to be at least 300 years old. Its branches span at least 100 feet and the trunk is 13 feet in circumference. This park features the Historic Easton Fountain as a part of its landscape.
AMENITIES
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Pets Welcome
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Picnic Table(s)
Glen Oak Park
Peoria, IL
Make Glen Oak Park a daylong destination for you and your family! Packed with fun, the Park is home to Peoria Zoo, the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum, Luthy Botanical Garden, and Rotary Adventure Grove, Glen Oak Amphitheatre and Glen Park Lagoon. And that’s just the beginning of the fun you can have…The roads through Glen Oak Park also provide paved, but not so level hiking opportunities.
If you have questions about rentals at this park, please call 309-682-1200.
Golf Learning Center
Peoria, IL
Both experienced golfers and beginners alike can agree that the Golf Learning Center is a very useful, unique aspect of the Peoria Park District’s golf portfolio. The Golf Learning Center offers lessons for all age ranges and skill sets, as well as indoor putting and hitting stations, an all-season driving range, and par 3 pitch-and-putt course. Be sure to also check out the pro shop for your golf equipment and accessory needs!
AMENITIES
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Birthday Parties
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Classes
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Food
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Memberships
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Public Restrooms
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Rentals
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Shopping
Grand View Drive & Park
Peoria, IL
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Grand View Drive is a 2.52 mile meandering pleasure driveway constructed in 1903. The “world’s most beautiful drive,” as President Theodore Roosevelt referred to it in a visit to Peoria in 1910, offers visitors numerous panoramic scenic views of the Illinois River Valley and the chance to view many historic and remarkable homes lining it. The linear park is especially beautiful in autumn, with the ever-changing colors of fall leaves. Grand View Drive has 1.75 miles of paved sidewalk for hiking.
AMENITIES
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Baseball Fields
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Pets Welcome
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Picnic Tables
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Public Restrooms
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Sand Volleyball Courts
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Shelters
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Trails / Hiking
Gwynn Family Aquatic Center
Peoria, IL
Looking to splish and splash this summer?! Gwynn is the place for outdoor swimming fun! The facility offers a zero depth pool, a water slide, a diving well, and a wet sand play area.
The pool is closed for the season!
If you have any questions, please call (309) 682-1200.
John H. Gwynn Jr. Park
Peoria, IL
Located next to Carver Recreation Center in downtown Peoria, Gwynn Park is filled with fun for all seasons.
Located in this park is Gwynn Family Aquatic Center. Learn more about the facility here.
AMENITIES
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