Places

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.

Donovan Park Layout

With a lot of fun packed in a small package, Endres is a neighborhood park with a ton of fun!

Endres Park Layout

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.

Forest Park Nature Center Layout

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

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.

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.

Glen Oak Park Layout

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!

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.

Grand View Drive Layout

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.

Effective Thursday, June 16th, Gwynn Family Aquatic Center will be open from Monday-Friday on the following set schedule:

• 12-3pm for children 0-12, with a parent/guardian 18 and over. Children must be supervised and accompanied by their parent the whole visit. Adults are invited to swim during this timeframe too. Summer camps who use the aquatic center are encouraged to come during this timeframe.
• 3:30-5pm for children and adults 12+

If you have any questions, please call (309) 682-1200. The facility will close for the season on August 2, 2022.

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. 

John H. Gwynn Jr. Park Layout