New playground in Peoria is nearing completion

The new playground at Glen Oak Park is nearing completion.

Public use of the new Tricentennial Playground at Glen Oak Park will likely begin in mid-August or later that month, according to Emily Cahill, Peoria Park District executive director.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the playground will be held on Sept. 7. The cost to build the new Tricentennial Playground was around $1 million.

Building the new structure meant the original, much-beloved wooden playground had to be torn down.

Constructed in 1992, the previous wooden playground was somewhat of an icon at Glen Oak Park, yet time had taken its toll on the structure. In September of 2021, plans to replace it were approved by the Peoria Park District Board of Trustees.

Plans for the new playground were unveiled in May of 2023 and demolition of the old structure began in September.

The new playground was built with a focus of being inclusive and accessible to all children, including those with disabilities.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: New playground in Peoria is nearing completion