Laura Bradley Park | |
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Bradley Park | |
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Nearest city | Peoria, Illinois |
Area | 100 acres (40 ha) |
Laura Bradley Park, also known as Bradley Park, is a park in Peoria, Illinois, United States. [1] It historically contained a wading pool for children and flower gardens. [2] [3] As of 2022 [update], it offers sports facilities, picnic sites, hiking opportunities on paved tracks, and a Japanese bridge. [1]
The 100-acre (40 ha) park was given to the city of Peoria by Lydia Moss Bradley (1816-1908) in memory of her daughter Laura Bradley, who died in 1864 at the age of 14. [2]
A Japanese garden area was constructed by Peoria parks workers under the direction of Chicago Japanese garden builder T.R. Otsuka in Spring 1918, according to that year’s report [4] of the park district board of trustees: “After the general plan had been adopted by the board, Mr. T.R. Otsuka, a Japanese landscape artist, from Chicago, was engaged to supervise the laying out of the walks, placing of stones, and general planning. A Japanese temple, or tea house, was constructed on the highest elevation.”
In 2021, a wooden pedestrian bridge from the 1930s that spans Dry Run Creek was replaced with a concrete bridge for $1.3 million dollars. [5] [6] The Japanese bridge also underwent renovations for $30,000. [5] The Peoria Park District reopened both bridges in April 2022. [6]
In 2020, the park district board voted to remove a controversial Christopher Columbus statue. [7] [8] [9] A statue of the Greek goddess Hebe had been erected at the Main Street entrance until it was damaged by a car in 1954. [8]
40°42′13″N 89°37′23″W / 40.7036394°N 89.6230745°W