October 18, 2024
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Illinois Valley

Photos: City of Ottawa holds ribbon-cutting at Allen Park

By Scott Anderson
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The City of Ottawa held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 at Allen Park in Ottawa. Commissioner Marla Pearson (center) cuts the ribbon on a 1.5 million dollar completion of a playground and other improvements to the park. The project was partially funded by a $506,000 IDNR Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant. The new enhancements to Allen Park include accessible sidewalks leading to the upper plateau, featuring a modern playground and hillside play area with safe, poured-in-place surface for children of all abilities. The area also includes a shelter, bench swing with views of the Illinois River and a stone council ring for relaxation and community gatherings. A paved quarter-mile looped walking trail along the scenic banks of the Illinois River, two designated gaming areas, one with four bag toss stations and another with two chess-checkers tables and two ping-pong tables, all designed to promote social interaction and recreation. The sculptures will be repainted in the spring of 2025.

The city of Ottawa held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Allen Park in Ottawa. Commissioner Marla Pearson (center) cuts the ribbon on a $1.5 million dollar completion of a playground and other improvements to the park. The project was funded in part by a $506,000 Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant. (Scott Anderson)

Scott Anderson

Scott Anderson

Over a decade of experience in photojournalism with over 15 years in the newspaper industry.