It took the combined effort of three Pekin taxing bodies to build a much-needed multi-use path along Stadium Drive.
The 10-foot-wide path heads north from new sidewalk on Court Street past Pekin Community High School's Memorial Stadium and baseball and softball diamonds, the Pekin Park District's Veterans Memorial Ice Arena and parking lot, and ends with a connection to a park district bike trail.
The cost of the path was $600,000. It was paid for by an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant.
Pekin City Engineer Josie Esker submitted the grant application in 2020, received the grant in 2021, and after all the necessary red tape connected with the grant was completed, construction began May 17.
The path, which is on city and park district property, opened Aug. 21.
Esker said when she started working for the city, she thought it was crazy that no city sidewalk connected to the high school campus.
"So I applied for the grant, which had supportive letters from the high school and park district," she said. "They also donated land and easements so work on the path could get done."
Thousands of spectators have used the path the past couple weeks as they've walked to and from PCHS football games at Memorial Stadium. Fans formerly had to walk on gravel and grass, which was uneven when dry and slippery and muddy when wet.
Park District Executive Director Cameron Bettin and PCHS Superintendent Danielle Owens applauded Esker's efforts to get a path constructed and the finished product.
"Building the path couldn't have come at a better time with Court Street getting new sidewalks as part of that road project," Bettin said. "The path will improve safety so much for people walking to from the all events held in the area, and for high school students walking to and from school.
"Credit to Josie and the city for stepping up and getting it done."
Owens said the path is a welcome addition to the PCHS campus.
"We're thankful to Josie and the city of Pekin for their work securing the grant to make this possible," she said.
Esker said the path has the added benefit of contributing to the city's Americans with Disabilities Act improvements by making the facilities near the path more accessible.
Illinois Civic Contractors of East Peoria was the contractor and Thouvenot, Wade and Moerchen of Swansea was the engineering design firm for the path. Construction engineering was done by Pekin city employees.
