Last month, Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deed, John C. Ackerman, donated and planted annual flowers in the six large planters in Legins-Costley Park in Downtown Pekin, Illinois. 

Legins-Costley Park was dedicated on Juneteenth last year. Completion of this downtown "pocket park" was possible through the collaboration of the Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds, City of Pekin Illinois – Government, Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, Pekin Main Street, Tazewell County Genealogical and Historical Society of Illinois, YWCA of Pekin, Pekin Community High School, and Pekin Historian Jared Olar.

Quickly constructed, the original plans did not include planters, which add an additional "living art" aspect to this amazing park. The City of Pekin reallocated the planters to the new park, and the Pekin Main Street Organization gathered funding for the flowers and maintenance last year. The park is located between 411 and 417 Court Street, across the street from Touch Of Glass by Jody Yerly.

"I appreciate the outstanding work of all involved last year that culminated in what is now a gorgeous addition to downtown Pekin" stated Tazewell County Clerk John C. Ackerman. "The flowers last year completed the park, bringing new life to what was originally a vacant lot bringing very little benefit to the community. In appreciation of that dedicated work last year, I wanted to donate the flowers this year."

Included in the planters are hummingbird favorites burgundy leaf Canna and Salvia, yellow and blue petunias, dwarf mix snapdragons, mixed coleus, and tropical ivy.