This park is the newest example of Peoria’s commitment to providing the highest quality of life to our residents and the importance of bringing families together.
As you know, we have been working on the development of this community amenity for several years. In 2017, residents gave feedback about the amenities they wanted to see in this park as well as helped name it in a citywide contest. “Paloma” is Spanish for “dove,” named for the beautiful, wing-like shape created by Eastwing and Westwing Mountains surrounding it.
This park, which is currently 85 acres, connects with those mountain preserves and trails, adding to Peoria’s extensive trails and open space system. Additional trail connectivity and 35 more acres will be added in the future phase two development.
I know residents are as eager as I am to enjoy this wonderful amenity and I want to thank the residents for their support and patience during all the phases of development. This is about building community and encouraging healthy, active lifestyles. But, it is not just about fitness. It is also about inclusive family fun. Paloma Park includes amenities for the whole family to enjoy, including trailheads, a dog park, a fishing pond, splash pads, inclusive playgrounds, ramadas, soccer fields, pickleball courts, baseball fields and adaptive restrooms. Families can bring children or adults with physical and/or mental disabilities and there is something for everyone. Whether it is a communication board for those who are nonverbal or a place to play that is wheelchair accessible or a bathroom that is accommodating for anyone’s needs, Paloma Community Park has it all.
It is truly a community gathering place for everyone including special events. Your family will be able to host reunions and birthdays under the ramadas, and there will also be an event stage and lawn for larger gatherings and shows. Imagine concerts under the sky, and a splash pad and courts for the kids to enjoy. Lighted courts and ball fields mean residents can enjoy pickleball, baseball and soccer for day and evening games.
As a parent with kids involved with sports, this will provide more access to recreation for families and opportunities to host youth and amateur tournaments. Instead of having to drive to multiple places for family activities, this park will provide something for every member of the family, including four-legged members.
Phase two of the Paloma Community Park amenity planning will start in 2021. An intentional public process will begin with a design team and conceptual renderings for possible future amenities and improvements. City staff will use several citizen feedback methods both online and at virtual public meetings led by the parks, recreation and community facilities board.
While the park master plan has a high level of special uses identified across the city, the input from residents and stakeholder groups will ultimately assist in guiding the prioritization of the final park and amenity designs within phase two. I look forward to seeing families make new memories at places like Paloma Community Park.
Editor’s note: Bridget Binsbacher is the Peoria City Councilwoman for the Mesquite District, where the new Paloma Park is located.
