May 20, 2024
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Streator Central Park will be built up for toddlers

Bicycle path, playground expected to be installed this summer

By Derek Barichello

A winding concrete path was poured at Central Park for toddlers to ride their bicycles. Volunteers from Live Well Streator and the Streator Young Professionals Network will install signs and play buildings for children to use their imagination. (Derek Barichello)

Streator families with little ones soon will have a park geared to their toddler’s interest and abilities.

A winding concrete path was poured from the main sidewalk of Central Park, across from the former Sherman School.

The plan calls for a play area that teaches young children how to ride their bicycles safely, read road signs and learn sidewalk safety, all while using their imagination to go to different places, such as the grocery store or post office, which will be erected as small stands.

Volunteers from Live Well Streator, which donated money for the project, and Streator’s Young Professionals Network plan to put up educational signs and play buildings before July 4.

A playground geared for children ages 2 to 4 will be constructed near the bicycle path.

“This is really a unique project,” said Streator City Manager David Plyman. “To gear a park to the really young children is a neat concept.”

Volunteers will install play signs and buildings on a winding concrete path at Central Park before July 4, as the plan is to transform the park across from the former Sherman School into a toddler's park. (Derek Barichello)

The Streator Park Board brought forward the inspiration to make Central Park a play area for young children. The park was set to receive donated playground equipment from a Chinese company, Foreign Service Group (China), which planned to train students and teachers from China in English education at the former Sherman School, but the project has gone dormant and the building is listed for sale.

An inclusive swing and a two-seat swing for mother and child, purchased by Live Well Streator, also is expected to be installed this summer, said Ellen Vogel, community health engagement program manager with OSF HealthCare.

Along with the addition of new play areas, five memorial benches and a bi-level water fountain for both people and pets will be added to the park.

New signage from the city will feature directions and QR codes to direct residents to the park.

Live Well Streator is a community collaborative created, with the help of OSF HealthCare, to develop solutions that create new possibilities for healthier lives. The Live Well Streator steering committee is comprised of 12 individuals from diverse backgrounds and Ellen Vogel, with OSF HealthCare, who serves as the program facilitator. Together, group members, and over 40 action team members, are focusing on building awareness about community resources and creating new partnerships that support the following priorities: healthy eating, physical activity, and living a drug free lifestyle.