Work begins on delayed splash pad at Lakeview Park. Here's when its expected to open
A cold, wet winter and early spring, along with delays in planning and obtaining permits pushed back the opening of a splash pad at Peoria's Lakeview Park. But Peoria Park District executive director Emily Cahill said construction is moving along, and she hopes the splash pad will be completed by mid-summer.
'This will be a centrally located splash pad that will engage and entertain,' Cahill added. 'Its placement next to our Lakeview Summer Camp will also provide a great way for those participants to enjoy outdoor water experiences without having to bus kids to a different location.'
The splash pad will replace the Lakeview Family Aquatic Center, which closed permanently after the 2017 season. It will be located between the Owens Ice Center and the Lakeview Recreation Center.
In addition to the large splash pad, the facility also will feature a shelter, swings and easily accessible restrooms. According to a May 2024 Peoria Park District news release, splash pads are traditionally open from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year, extending the swimming season beyond that of conventional public pools.
In 2023, after the Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded the park district a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant to support development at Lakeview Park, Cahill projected a 'best case' scenario of last summer for the splash pad to be in operation. The Park District's May 2024 news release said the targeted completion date was spring of 2025. The district held a public input period last May to allow patrons an opportunity to offer design preferences.
Once the splash pad is up and running, it will be open from dawn to dusk, Cahill said. There will be no admission charge. The district also operates splash pads at Proctor Recreation Center and Logan Park, as well as outdoor swimming pools at Gwynn Family Aquatic Center and Proctor Recreation Center.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria Park District set to open Lakeview Park splash pad by mid-summer 2025
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