PEORIA, Ill. — Glen Oak Park is set to undergo some big changes, and on Wednesday night, Park District leaders gave neighbors a chance to share their ideas.
The Peoria Park District has more than $2 million in grant money to put into the park, and around 50 people showed up Wednesday with ideas – like removing fences to make more space and adding another fountain to freshen up the park’s lagoon.
But the main focus was Glen Oak’s outdoor amphitheater. Over 800 people signed a petition to keep it around, but many said they are open to improvements as long as they don’t take away from its history.
“This amphitheater is a natural place to seat thousands and thousands of people. For someone who has been on this stage – which I have – my husband has, my family has … To be on that stage, and look out on a summer night – it’s beautiful,” Peoria resident Denise Adams told news partner 25 News.
Park District Executive Director Emily Cahill plans to present a final decision to the park’s board of directors at the end of the month.
“There are some things there that just need to be redone. Everything that we own in our own homes – when your couch wears out, you buy a new one,” Cahill said. “This community has changed so much in the last 20 years – this neighborhood has changed. This park needs to change to meet the needs of this neighborhood.”
The Park District will hold discussions every Tuesday through the end of the month.
Cahill said the PPD hopes to have a decision ready to present to the board on September 29.
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