The guest speaker for the WPRA’s November membership meeting was Jacqueline J. Petty, a Peoria Park Board Trustee for the central district, which includes West Peoria. During this enjoyable and productive meeting, Petty provided general information about the park district and participated in a discussion, allowing our members the opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions about park district services and activities.
Petty briefly described the enlarged Glen Oak Park Zoo project, the Robinson Park hiking trail, and the Lake Avenue Park and Sports Field Complex. Speaking about the park district’s $47 million budget, Petty stated that the park district tax rate will not increase.
After this presentation, Petty and Val Marek--the manager of the Franciscan Recreation Center (FRC), a Peoria Park District facility located at 908 Sterling Avenue—responded to questions and concerns from the WPRA members. The topics discussed were the possibility of night lighting and winter maintenance for the FRC outdoor walking trail, wireless access for the FRC building, and possible park district sponsorship of a series of outdoor events at the FRC in 2008 and 2009.
As a follow-up to this WPRA meeting, David Pittman joined with FRC Manager Val Marek, Peoria Park District Supervisor Steve Montez, and West Peoria’s VISTA Volunteer Krystiana Bronny to further discuss these suggestions. In addition the group entertained the idea of Peoria Park District-sponsored community computer classes to be offered at Calvin Coolidge in West Peoria. They agreed to meet monthly and to invite others from our community so that West Peorians can make any new park district projects a big success. If you want to get involved, please contact David Pittman at
president@westpeoriaresidents.org or Val Marek at the FRC.
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