Places

Lions and tigers and giraffes, oh my!  The Peoria Park District is proud to have the Peoria Zoo as one of the great facilities available to people of all ages who live, work, and play in Peoria.  The Zoo is home to unique animals from all over the world and is open to the public 360 days a year.  Even during the winter, animal lovers can visit the Zoo to see Amur tigers and Sichuan takins frolicking in the snow!  The Zoo also offers many neat behind-the-scene tours and is a great place to host birthday parties, weddings, and corporate events.

The Proctor Recreation Center is a great place for the whole family to hang out all year round!  The Proctor Rec Center has something for everyone in your family featuring two gyms, an auditorium, lounge area, fitness room with weights, arts and crafts room, game room, outdoor water splash pad, and much more.  The Rec Center even offers after-school programs and fitness classes!  With all of its amenities, the Proctor Recreation Center also makes an excellent option for birthday parties.

Proctor Recreation Center Outdoor Layout

In partnership wth OSF, the Peoria Park District’s RiverPlex Recreation & Wellness Center is your one-stop shop for sports and fitness fun in Peoria!  Located right on the Peoria Riverfront, the RiverPlex boasts an indoor cycling studio, an indoor family aquatic center, rock climbing wall, 1/8 mile running track, sports performance area, a 15,900 square foot fitness floor, and more!  The RiverPlex also offers classes for all ages, preferences, and skill levels including water Zumba, Pilates, and personal training options.  With all its many amenities, the RiverPlex would be a great place your next class trip, youth group outing, or birthday party!

Narrow, informal paths lace the site, along with a substantial segment of the better-developed Illinois River Bluff Trail. For the ecologically-oriented visitor, the most intriguing component of Robinson Park is its 151-acre nature preserve, which consists of glacial drift hill prairies, and oak woodlands along the ridges and valleys.  If you have questions about rentals at this park, please call 309-682-1200.

Robinson Park Layout

Located next to Dr. Maude A. Sanders Primary School, Schmoeger Park is a great place to kick a soccer ball or just enjoy the outdoors!

Schmoeger Park Layout

Sommer Farm is a use-by-reservation/rental/special events/wedding facility with a focus on Living History & Environmental Education.  The 320-acre site offers private picnics and outings for groups of up to 1000, primarily April through November.  The park also features a teams course.

Sommer Farm Layout

Not to be confused with its neighbor to the south, Sommer Park North is a neighborhood park filled with activity. Sommer Park North has 1.25 miles
of paved, but not so level hiking opportunities and sports amenities!

Sommer Park North Layout

Stadium Park is a cooperative partnership between Peoria School District #150 and the Peoria Park District. Located off Lake Avenue, Stadium Park makes use of School District land directly adjacent to the Peoria Stadium complex.  Stadium Park has a .45 mile loop for hiking that is paved and fairly level.

Stadium Park Layout

The Tawny Oaks Field Station is the newest environmental facility in the Peoria Park District!  Tawny Oaks is comprised of a prairie restoration, ½ mile of handicap accessible gravel trail, a picnic area, and visitor center with restrooms.  Tawny Oaks is open seasonally and offers various workshops, educational walks, and bird watching events.

The Peoria Park District has many opportunities for walking, hiking, and biking. The paths and trails in the Park District range from paved, level walkways to rough, steep hiking trails. There’s something for everyone! Below is an overview of trails and paths in the Park District.