PEORIA (January 18, 2022) – Please join Peoria Park District staff and trustees for a press conference scheduled for
TUESDAY, April 5th at 10:30am to celebrate two finished projects in Laura Bradley Park. The ribbon cutting will take place in Lower Bradley Park in front of the Japanese Bridge.
You can find the location via map here, indicated with a star.
Presenters will share information about the environmental impact of these efforts, which include renovation of Bradley's iconic Japanese bridge, as well as the complete reconstruction of a concrete bridge spanning the East branch of Dry Run Creek. A ribbon cutting with follow.
The new bridge over Dry Run Creek cost an estimated 1.3 million and replaces the previous deck truss bridge that was erected in the 1930's. It features pedestrian lanes on both sides, making it larger than the previous bridge.
The iconic Japanese Bridge located just to the west of the other bridge, is a pedestrian bridge that also spans Dry Creek Run. The renovation of this bridge consisted of new handrails to meet current codes along with new wood along the historic arch bridge.
Laura Bradley Park is a large park located adjacent to Bradley University and was established in the late 19th century. Filled with amenities that will appeal to dog lovers and sports fans alike, the park traverses a high bluff woodland that grades down into the floodplain of Dry Run Creek. Along with numerous picnic sites, the park also features baseball fields, tennis courts, disc golf course, two dog parks, sand volleyball courts and is home to Corn Stock Theatre. The roads through Bradley Park provide paved, but not so level hiking opportunities.
