The City of Peoria is drafting a plan to convert a plot of riverfront property into park space to placate concerns about a a segment of Riverfront Park that’s pegged for private development. The River Trails Apartment project is sketched for construction on what’s currently city-owned parkland along the Illinois River.
Environmentalists say the city needs to compensate for the loss of green space by finding another segment of land for natural preservation. To that end, Assistant City manager Chris Setti says the city has negotiated acquiring nearly six-acres of land next to Riverfront Park. The land is from James and Linda Simantel and the Detweiller Playground Trust.
The City plans to seek public input on elements for new park space. Joyce Blumenshine chairs the Heart of Illinois Sierra Club. She says traffic and safety concerns remains with the project despite the proposed land acquisitions. Blumenshine also says “Questions about safety and adequate space for the relocation of public volleyball courts have yet to be answered.”