March 2017

Brian Fox Ellis as Captain Henry Detweiller at the "Save Riverfront Park" fundraiser at the GAR Hall on February 12th.

Revised Riverfront Park Environmental Assessment Comments Ended

The historic GAR Hall in downtown Peoria was full of people, with about 100 attending the February 12th “Save Riverfront Park” fundraiser. Brian Fox Ellis gave a stirring re-enactment of Peoria riverboat captain Henry Detweiller and told of his friendship with Abraham Lincoln and Detweiller’s service for the Union Army in the Civil War. A key part of the presentation was how Detweiller Marina and public park were given to the people of Peoria. Wonderful music and comments by Barry Cloyd left the audience on a high note. Food from Paparazzi Restaurant, At Matter of Taste Catering, and cookies from Trefzgers made for a satisfying afternoon. Three tables of silent auction items included donations from Gregg Florist, Kelly Seed and Hardware, The Hearth Restaurant, Paparazzi, Harmony and Balance Peoria, and numerous artists and individuals. Over $2,600 was raised in support of Riverfront Park!

Thanks to concerned citizens, 78 postcards with specific issues regarding the revised Riverfront Park Environmental Assessment (EA) were received at City Hall by the close of comments window on Monday, February 20th at 5 p.m. Twenty-two emails in opposition to city plans for sale of the park and concerns about the EA were also received. Twenty emails in support of the project and one email that City Hall considered neutral were also received. National Park Service guidelines suggest a minimum of 30 days for public comment on EA proposals for Land and Water Conservation Fund public land conversion proposals, however, the City of Peoria posted notice of the comment period on Friday, February 3rd and comments were due on Presidents Day holiday, February 20th.

Among the comments was an email from the National Park Service (NPS) that stated, “Initially, our office wanted to make a few comments and suggestions before the Draft EA, dated January 2017, went out for public review. The IDNR has informed us that the Draft EA was available for public comment. We are submitting our comments, suggestions and questions to you through the public comment process and look forward to your responses.” This was followed by twenty two items listed by the NPS for clarification or revision by the City. Efforts to Save Riverfront Park continue. For the full documents supplied by the city regarding their Revised EA see the postings on the City of Peoria website.

Check this map for an estimate of the area impacted by the proposed Riverfront Park developments, and the current best estimate of remaining public park areas that will be usable for recreation, based on the available projected site plan and information from City Hall.