The Peoria Park District Planning Committee today heard testimony from Mike Baietto, Superintendent of Parks, on why 21 district-owned landmarks should be preserved under the district’s new Historic Preservation Ordinance. More will be added over the next 30 days as park district staff work on including notable omissions (such as the Christopher Columbus statue in upper Bradley Park) and the public weighs in with other suggestions.

The initial 21 landmarks that were presented are:

1. Decorative Stone Fort, a.k.a. the parapet, including the canon (Glen Oak Park, 1899)
2. Kinsey Memorial Fountain (Glen Oak Park, 1905)
3. Small Animal House (Glen Oak Park, 1905)
4. Iron Suspension Bridge (Glen Oak Park, 1902)
5. Triebel Lions (Glen Oak Park/Zoo, 1903)
6. Glen Oak Park Pavilion (1896)
7. Old Settlers’ Monument (Glen Oak Park, 1899)
8. Pergola (lower Glen Oak Park, 1917)
9. Robert Ingersoll Statue (lower Glen Oak Park, 1911)
10. Historic Grand View Drive Park (already on National Historic Register)
11. Trewyn Park Pavilion (Trewyn Park, 1913)
12. Kinsey Sundial (Luthy Botanical Gardens, 1905)
13. Proctor Recreation Center (1913, already on National Historic Register)
14. Iron Bridge (Bradley Park, 1898)
15. Japanese Bridge (Bradley Park, 1921)
16. Detweiller Park Nature Preserve
17. Forest Park North Nature Preserve
18. Forest Park South Nature Preserve
19. Robinson Park Nature Preserve
20. Singing Woods Nature Preserve
21. Giant Oak Park (High Street)

It was mentioned during the presentation that the sundial had been in storage for several years before being put on display in the Luthy Botanical Gardens, so I asked if there were any other historical items in storage that should be added to the list. Mr. Baietto and Bonnie Noble both said that there is not — at least, not that they are aware of.

Other people who were at the meeting included City Councilman George Jacob, a couple members of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission, neighborhood activist Sara Partridge, and the chair of the Junior League.

At the next meeting, a final list will be proposed and if the Planning Committee approves it, it will go to the full Park Board at their next scheduled meeting, and then there will be a public hearing…. It takes a while to get things added to the park district’s historic register.

If you would like to make a recommendation for historic preservation, you can pick up a “Resource Nomination Application” form at the park district offices (Glen Oak Park Pavilion, lower level). It was mentioned that the form will be available on the district’s web site, but it doesn’t appear to be there yet (unless I just couldn’t find it). You can also pick up a copy of the district’s historic preservation ordinance at the office.

The nomination form asks for the name of the landmark; its location; the applicant’s name, contact info, and signature; a description of the “present and original (if known) physical appearance and characteristics”; “statement of significance”; and photographs.