Springfield, IL - May 28, 2025 - The Springfield Park District marked a significant milestone yesterday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kiwanis Park, unveiling a comprehensive redevelopment that enhances recreational opportunities and accessibility for the community.
The even celebrated the completion of a transformative project featuring a large, community-sized accessible playground, an 8-foot-wide looped multi-use path network, an expanded parking lot, a new shelter with attached restroom facilities, a fully renovated soccer field, upgraded sports lighting with energy efficient LED fixtures, and new site amenities and furnishings.
Leslie Sgro, President of the Springfield Park District Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude to community partners, stating, "The transformation of Kiwanis Park would not have been possible without the dedicated support and collaborative spirit of our community partners." She acknowledged contributions from the International Soccer Club and the Urban Action Network, whose grassroots survey helped capture neighborhood priorities.
The redevelopment was partially funded by a generous $400,000 grant from the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources through the Open Space Land Acquisition & Development Program (OSLAD), enabling the Park District to expand the scope of improvements.
Community members are encouraged to visit Kiwanis Park to experience the new amenities and enjoy the revitalized green space.