EAST PEORIA (25News Now) – One and a half acres of greenery in East Peoria is formally open for the general public’s leisure.
The East Peoria Community Foundation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday afternoon to have fun the completion of the Levee Park. The ultimate contact was the splash pad.
In line with Sue Portscheller, president of the neighborhood basis, this mission has been within the works for roughly 10 years. The group is comprised of all volunteers who share an curiosity in making certain East Peoria has one thing to supply everybody.
The Levee Park, subsequent to Metropolis Corridor and the Fondulac District Library, contains a studying backyard, tables with shade, and a butterfly waystation. Portscheller stated a neighborhood survey confirmed that most individuals had been within the efficiency stage and the splash pad.
“Our city could be very family-oriented. We wished a water characteristic, however as we considered it, [we said], ‘Let’s not simply have a fountain, let’s have a fountain that children can play in’,” stated Portscheller.
The mission price $3 million. Nevertheless, fundraisers, donations, and state grants helped East Peoria Group Basis volunteers fund the park. For instance, State Senator Dave Koehler and former State Rep. Mike Unes helped safe grants devoted to rising Illinois communities.
Native donors additionally contributed greater than $500,000, in keeping with Portscheller. The Bahnfleth household put aside a big portion, and the Uftring household donated a restricted version Corvette, which raised $250,000 by means of a raffle.
East Peoria Mayor John Kahl stated finishing this mission with out having to lift taxes was essential.
“That’s the place non-public, public partnerships actually come into play, and I feel East Peoria’s actually executed job with that,” stated Kahl.
The 1.5 acres of land belong to the town, so metropolis funds will probably be used for normal upkeep and maintenance.
Mayor Kahl stated because the Levee District continues to develop, he remained adamant about protecting this downtown area inexperienced.
“Whether or not folks need to come down right here to buy, dine, or simply hang around, that’s the entire concept; type of have a focus the place everybody can come collectively,” stated Kahl.
Whereas the mission is technically full, Portscheller stated there are nonetheless some last-minute tweaks that have to be made. She additionally hopes so as to add extra timber to the park sooner or later.
Go to the East Peoria Community Foundation’s website to study extra or donate.
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