Pekin Rotary Club’s Rotary Park on 11th St. recently qualified for a statewide grant which the Pekin Park District applied for.  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources oversees the competitive matching grant known as the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant.  Referred to as OSLAD. It is championed by the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

The award for the park’s renovation  is for $421,000— half funded through the state’s Real Estate Transfer tax and half via the park district’s $210,500 match.  The funds will create better handicap accessibility to all spaces, a redone basketball court, a new playground, tree trimming and replacement, and other site amenities.

Pekin Rotary first sponsored and financially supported the creation of the park in 1988.

1. Removal of dying trees, 2 total
2. Basketball court renovation: asphalt crack repair and overlay, 2 new post and backboard systems
3. ADA accessible concrete sidewalks, 5' wide
4. ADA accessible ramp at intersection
5. ADA accessible ramp with railings to existing shelter
6. Add 5' wide sidewalk for ADA access to existing restrooms
7. Concrete cornhole set
8. 6' Bench, 2 total on concrete pads
9. 4' Black vinyl chainlink fence
10. Play curb edging to hold engineered wood fiber playground mulch
11. Swings: 1 2-5 yr bucket swing, 1 2-5 yr expression swing, and 2 belt swings
12. 5-12 Yr old play structure with transfer point
13. Merry-go-round
14. Arch saucer swing
15. Concrete sidewalk and driveway removal
16. Existing shelter to remain 
17. Existing baseball fence backstop to remain