PEORIA (May 4, 2022) – Please join Peoria Park District staff and trustees for a press conference scheduled for FRIDAY, May 6, 2022 at 1:30pm. The District will be celebrating Donovan Park's accreditation as a Level 1 Arboretum as well as hosting a public tree planting.

Donovan Park, located in the heart of Peoria, is adjacent to the Peoria Park District Rock Island Greenway and filled with open green space that welcomes walkers, runners and cross-country skiers. It's also home to Northmoor Observatory, Cyd's in the Park and the Donovan Sculpture Garden. "Donovan Park has a rich history in the Peoria community, and is a perfect example of what an evolution of public green space can look like," stated Emily Cahill, Peoria Park District Executive Director.

Over the last several years, Peoria Park District staff have worked to apply for Arbnet Level 1 Accreditation, which marks Peoria's first accredited arboretum. "Arbnet accreditation provides the Peoria Park District with the resources needed to publicize the Donovan Park Arboretum and the importance of woody plant appreciation, knowledge, and research not only on a global scale, but also in everyone’s local green spaces," stated Jacob Kuban, Manager of Donovan Park.

Staff, accompanied by students from Richwoods High School, will be planting a bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) as a close to the event. This particular species is native to the historical habitat that the property of Donovan Park once was. It is a long lived tree and provides food and shelter for tiny pollinator species like caterpillars all the way up to the large deer that live in the park.