July 2016
Gentle breezes, delightfully spirited music, and a big and friendly crowd made the June 23rd Save Riverfront Park benefit concert a wonderful success. Local music star Barry Cloyd and the Freedom Street musicians with guest artist Robin Crowe donated their time and talent presenting crowd pleasers and new songs celebrating nature and the river. The Eagle Singers Native American group performed several drum chants before the concert began. Blankets, lawn chairs, dogs on leashes, kids with balls, all joined in this people’s event in the people’s park. The concert was held where the park is planned for sale to a private developer for luxury apartment buildings and a new road.
Friends of Riverfront Park gave updates about efforts to counter the city’s claims that this park is not used during the concert. Efforts continue to raise issues to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which is reviewing the city park sale proposal and the city proposal for “replacement” property to the north off of Spring Street. Because the existing park was purchased with federal Land and Water Conservation Funds, specific regulations apply to the sale. The Peoria City Council is expected to request a third delay in requiring the developer to provide proof of financial ability to manage the project at an upcoming Council Meeting.
Click here for more pictures from the concert.
