New Sunset Park playground in Peru complete

Parks director says improvements are bringing unprecedented attendance to park

A crew from Custom Playgrounds in Rockford install new playground equipment at Sunset Park on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 in Peru. Installation began this week on about $150,000 of upgraded playground equipment located on the south east part of Sunset Park near the intersection of 2nd and Henry Streets. The city received a grant of $43,000 for the new playground. Crews are hoping to have it completed by next week. — Peru Director of Parks, Recreation & Special Events Adam Thorson said a new playground at Sunset Park was completed last Thursday and the public is enjoying it. (Scott Anderson)

October 24, 2023 at 5:35 am CDT

Peru Director of Parks, Recreation & Special Events Adam Thorson said a new playground at Sunset Park was completed last Thursday and the public is enjoying it.

“I haven’t been here a whole lot of time,” Thorson said. “But, that’s the most kids I’ve seen at that park. So, I think they like it so far.”

The city utilized a $43,000 grant from GameTime through a program developed in partnership with Illinois Parks and Recreation Association. The grant supplemented the almost $150,0000 in upgrades at the park at Second and Henry streets.

The city plans to add some landscaping elements to the park and some benches.

In other news:

Public Works Director Jeff King announced the bathrooms in the dog parks and the splash pad have been winterized for the year.

“We drained all the lines and anti-freeze them just to make sure nothing freezes up,” he said. “We apologize for the inconvenience.”