Chillicothe park will undergo $2.1M in upgrades

CHILLICOTHE – A plan to renovate Chillicothe's Shore Acres Park will update the historic property with features accessible to all.

The plan has concrete pathways that wander from the renovated baseball and softball field to Americans with Disabilities Act compliant playgrounds along the riverfront. The design adds features to a portion of the park that is currently underutilized, said Kevin Yates, executive director of the Chillicothe Park District.

“That area is scenic bluff that overlooks the river. There are a few picnic tables and an older road that goes through there now that creates some challenges and safety concerns for us,” said Yates. “It's kind of underutilized space for the scenic view of the river that it has. The new design moves the road away from the premier river bluff view so we can develop that with the playground and a new pavilion, and create more of a feature space for the park, so people can enjoy the river views and things that come with a nice part of the property.”

Construction is slated for completion in 2025.

Popular through the ages

The 26.5 acres of riverfront property now known as Shore Acres Park has been a popular gathering place since the early 1890s, according to information on the Chillicothe Park District website. Then called Columbia Park, the site was popular for picnics, family reunions and neighborhood ball games. A dance pavilion provided space for Sunday afternoon concerts, and steamboats transported picnickers to and from their homes in Lacon, Henry, Pekin and Peoria.

In 1913 the park was renamed Peoria Automobile Club, and in 1917 a clubhouse was built for parties and overnight guests. In the 1920s the park became North Shore Country Club, and a nine-hole golf course was built. The property became Shore Acres Park in 1930, and in 1948 the land was taken over by the Chillicothe Park District.

Today, the former Peoria Automobile Clubhouse, now called Shore Acres Clubhouse, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is wellused by area residents.

“We do over 120 events a year, everything from the Chillicothe Players Theater, to birthday parties, family reunions, weddings, special events — you name it, it happens there and it's pretty much booked solid every weekend," said Yates. "Then we try to fill in during the week with park district programs such as dance and yoga.”

The park is particularly busy in the summer when the pool is open, bringing in about 25,000 visitors in three months, Yates said.