A former Illinois school is now a $1.35M accessible park with an inclusive playground and splash pad

On August 26 at 11:30, roughly 75 people gathered at Cooke Park for the official ribbon-cutting, capping a years-long transformation of the former Cooke Elementary School property into a fully accessible neighbourhood park. The ceremony, conducted by the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, took place with the new splash pad running behind the crowd, water spraying and a light mist drifting over the gathering. The $1.352 million project includes an inclusive playground, a picnic shelter, restrooms, a bicycle repair station, walking paths and a parking area, along with the splash pad that was completed this month, according to WGIL.com.In attendance were state legislators, Mayor Peter Schwartzman, four City Council members, city officials and members of the public. Among those giving remarks were Mayor Schwartzman, Ward 4 Alderman Dwight White, whose ward includes the park, State Senator Mike Halpin, State Representative Dan Swanson, and Director of Parks and Recreation Don Miles. Several people who helped lead the push for the park also spoke, including Gayla Pacheco, Karen Ford-Kelley and Stephanie Jackson Grimes. Schwartzman, who has served as mayor for a little over five years, c...