Champaign Park District facts for kids
The Champaign Park District is a group that takes care of all the parks in Champaign, Illinois. They manage over 650 acres (about 2 square kilometers) of parkland! This means they look after many green spaces, playgrounds, and fun areas for everyone in the city to enjoy. The Park District has a team of about 65 full-time staff and over 400 part-time and seasonal workers who help keep everything running smoothly.
Awesome Parks to Visit
Centennial Park
Dodds Park
West Side Park
West Side Park is a cool 12.5-acre park right in downtown Champaign. It's a peaceful spot, just a few blocks from busy streets and near City Hall. This park was the very first one in the city's park system, started way back in 1859!
When it first opened, it was called "the commons." In 1861, it even became a public cow pasture where people could pay a small fee to let their cows graze. Imagine cows walking around where you play now!
Later, a man named Benjamin F. Johnson donated money to build a statue and a bandstand in the park. The beautiful statue, called "A Prayer for Rain," was made by Edward Kemeys. Both the statue and bandstand were finished in 1899 and dedicated to Mr. Johnson.
You can also find other interesting monuments in West Side Park. There's the Lincoln Monolith, which is a tall stone monument. Plus, there are statues and plaques that remember the Indian War.
Other Fun Parks
- Hessel Park is a big park with almost 27 acres of land. It was added to the city's parks in 1918. This park has a free children's water park, which is super fun on hot days! It also has a path around the edge that's about 0.6 miles long, perfect for walking or running.
- Eisner Park is located on the west side of the city. It has two playgrounds, each designed for different age groups. There are also courts for playing ball and a baseball field. A community building is also on the property, offering more activities.
