Latest news with #PeoriaParkDistrict
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Community hits the court for Hoopfest at Proctor Recreation Center
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Basketball and community spirit were on full display this weekend at the Proctor Recreation Center during the Peoria Park District's Streets Belong to Me: Hoopfest. The event was a high-energy 3-on-3 basketball tournament celebrating competition, connection and neighborhood pride. Jalen Jenkins, Program Director at Proctor Recreation Center, reflected on the deeper meaning behind the event. 'When I was a kid, I used to always play outside,' said Jenkins. 'But I feel like now that time is going on, we're all on our phones and social media stuff, so doing stuff like this just reminds all of us that we did come from being outside and playing with friends. It just reminded us to be a kid.' From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, local teams battled it out in friendly but fierce matchups for the chance to be crowned Kings and Queens of the Court. The tournament drew families, fans, and players of all ages, transforming the recreation center into a vibrant hub of athleticism and unity. The festivities kicked off Friday night with the Streets Belong to Me celebration — an evening full of swimming, food, music, and fun that brought the community together beyond the court. Beyond the games and festivities, the event served a greater purpose — creating safe, welcoming spaces for youth to gather, play, and connect. '[The purpose was] to really connect the communities and get all the kids outside, just to know that this is a safe space for them to play and to come and visit,' Jenkins added. Organizers say Hoopfest was about more than just basketball — it was a celebration of community, belonging, and the importance of outdoor recreation in kids' lives. With strong turnout and enthusiastic participation, the event was a clear slam dunk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Parks on Tap: Peoria's summer event unites community in parks
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Cold beer, live entertainment, and the great outdoors came together once again as Parks on Tap made its second stop of the season at Donovan Park on Sunday. Hosted by the Peoria Park District, the summer-long series transforms local parks into lively gathering spots. It features a traveling tap house, food vendors, and performances from local musicians. The initiative first launched in 2021 and has quickly become a favorite seasonal event for many residents. Cassie Robbins, community events manager for the Peoria Park District, said Parks on Tap is about more than beer and music — it's about showcasing the city's natural beauty and strengthening neighborhood ties. 'Peoria has so many hidden gems,' Robbins said. 'Even if you're from around the area, you may not be familiar with our parks. And that's a big part of what we're doing with Parks on Tap—coming out, showing people what they can enjoy right in their city. It's a community coming together, and that's really what makes Parks on Tap so special.' Parks on Tap runs from May through the end of August. The next stop will be at Sommer Park North on May 30. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What to know about major upgrades coming to the Peoria Park District
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — As summer nears, the Peoria Park District shared updates on some major projects and the progress made. One project the district has been overseeing is some updates to the Golf Learning Center, which will bring a Top Golf-like experience, said Emily Cahill, the park district's executive director. It will be a two-story driving range that will use the same software, provided by Top Tracer, that is seen in Top Golf's around the country. 'It is that Top Golf-like experience. It's actually the same software and play experience you would have if you went to a Top Golf, it's just in our 21-bay-sized facility,' she said. The facility will be run by the park district, and they are working to finalize a deal to bring in a local restaurateur to bring food and drinks to the new facility. The overall project will cost for the new structure as well as renovations will cost about $6.5 million. $5 million of that cost will come from grants through the state and the rest including operating costs will come from the park district. She said they hope that the new experience will be ready to go by Labor Day. Cahill also said that, along with the new structure, they will be renovating the inside of the golf learning center building to include some party rooms, a restaurant as well as two golf simulators that can be rented out. The second update Cahill had, was on the new Lakeview Splash Pad and demolition of the old pool which has finally be demolished. It's been closed since 2018. Cahill said it was just time and it needed to go. When it comes to the splash pad at the park, construction had been slowed due to all the rain the city had seen, but she is confident it will be up and operational by mid-July. A big reason for the decision to bring a splash pad was the need in the central part of the city to have a water feature for people to enjoy. 'So when we closed the pool, we knew that the central part of the community needed access to water and looking at just what our opportunities were, a splash pad makes a lot of sense for us because it is something that doesn't require lifeguards,' she said, reducing the cost to the district. Splash pads also have a longer season of operation than a regular pool. That's because the start of school means the teenage work force has to quit and thus, causing it to close in early August. But a splash pad can remain open and is about 10% cheaper to operate than a pool, she said. 'So it's an opportunity for us to provide that experience, let kids and families run around, have a great time, but not have the significant costs that come with a swimming pool,' Cahill said. The splash pad will cost about $1 million with its costs covered by a state grant that also pays for outdoor bathrooms. The last project with the district is renovation of its venerable ice rink, Owens Center, and replacing some of the machinery that chills water to make the ice. Right now, the Owens Center is under a six-week closure that will allow them to do maintenance to the rinks, such as painting the lines, fix leaks as well as general repairs. These repairs are to help the ice rink make it until they can begin to replace the system that freezes the ice as required by government mandate. 'So everybody in the country, including the Civic Center, has to change out the plant that they have that makes the ice frozen,' Cahill said. 'Everybody was using a product that's no longer allowable by the federal government. So we all have to switch to a new system that's more environmentally friendly. That switch for us will take place sometime in early 2027.' Along with changing of the ice plant, Cahill said that they are also planning to completely renovate the Owens Center interior starting in 2026. Part of the renovations will include better food and drink options than their current concession stand, as well as making viewing for friends and family better, and even renovating locker rooms. All together, the Owens Center renovations will cost the park district around $15 million. Cahill said a big factor in their decisions to take on these projects was to bring more fun things for people who live in the community. 'Experiences are what people are after more than things these days. And so to be able to, in your own backyard, visit a zoo where you see animals from all over the world, go to a world-class children's museum, be able to ice skate at our renovated ice center, be able to go to splash pads or pools or to walk on more than 50 miles of trails,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
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
