By Liz Lape
PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – Neighbors near a Peoria marina are hoping to prevent the land’s sale to a steel company by gaining more community support.
Tuesday morning, concerned neighbors of a riverfront park by Detweiller Marina came out to the Peoria Public Library downtown to voice their concerns about the potential sale of the land.
The Detweiller Playground Trust owns the land near Riverfront Park and the marina. The trust is now looking to sell a portion of the land to O’Brien Steel, and close off access to the land on Caroline Street. That decision must be approved by the Peoria City Council.
The group of concerned residents, also known as Friends of Riverfront Park, said that the land was promised to the public by its founder. One of those members, Karrie Alms, told 25 News that it’s a peaceful escape that needs to stay in the community.
“Not everybody has money to get on a plane, train, or bus to go somewhere else,” she said. “We have people in our neighborhood who may not even have a car. They can walk there and get that solace.”
Forty-plus-year resident of the area, Pat Palmer, said the land is important to her, her family, and others. She said the park has been extra healing to her since her husband’s passing.
“This river was not only a place for recreation, but it was my place for solace,” Palmer said. “I know that many other people use that river for meditation.”
The Illinois Attorney General approved the proposed sale of the land in November. Since then, the group has submitted documents to the department in an effort to prevent the sale.
Detweiller Marina Neighborhood Association Officer Tim Harold said they need the community’s support now.
“It’s the only place in Peoria you can launch a boat, it’s the only place you can walk down and touch the water, and it’s the only place you can launch a kayak,” he said.
Alms and Harold are both asking people to show support at Wednesday’s Peoria Park District Board meetings at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., hoping to sway the district board to influence keeping the land for the public.
“When it came up to the park district regarding their easement for the Rock Island Greenway Trail through there, that’s how it got delayed this far,” Harold said. “That’s why we’re depending on the park district to get involved tomorrow night.”
“Contact all of your city council people about the potential vacating of Caroline Street, the Park Board members, and talk to your state representatives,” Alms said.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali refused to comment on the proposed land sale, and O’Brien Steel has not yet reached back out for comment.
Friends of Riverfront Park is also holding a fundraiser at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria on April 19, hoping to raise awareness and money to hire a lawyer.
Alms said a decision regarding the sale is expected to be made later in April.
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