The Urbana Park District Board of Commissioners has approved the updated Weaver and Prairie Park Master Plans. You can find the plans here.
“We will connect 22 acres of Prairie Park with 60 acres of Weaver Park to create over 80 acres of green space in east Urbana," said Tim Bartlett, Executive Director of Urbana Park District. He added, "The new Health and Wellness Center will serve as a focal point for the plans.”
“We wanted to provide shared activities at both park sites to benefit all of Urbana,” said Corky Emberson, Superintendent of Recreation. Emberson continued, “This plan will increase a sense of belonging in east Urbana, attract new development, provide athletic fields with long term sustainability in mind and provide new athletic and recreation programs for the community.”
This completes a two-year study and planning process that featured input from several community members and stakeholders both residing in Urbana and in the area. That input produced the final, of-record master plans that the park district will use moving forward.
“The park district first presented the tentative plans for Weaver Park to the Urbana Park District Advisory Committee (UPDAC) last year, and the group was very excited to see this area of Urbana transformed into a destination park in our community,” said Ashley Withers, UPDAC Chair. She continued, “After initial public feedback and surveys, the park district really went above and beyond when it came to going back to the drawing board to see how they could meet the needs of our youth athletics programs, as well as maintaining the integrity of the natural areas. They were able to form several subcommittees made up of stakeholders from athletics groups, birders, naturalists, community neighbors, and staff from nearby schools. I'm really happy with the final master plan that was voted on and think that it's really the best use of the space to meet the needs of our youth athletic programs, as well as preserving a very valuable natural area in Urbana.”
Private donations, city and county ARPA grants, and Urbana Parks Foundation provided the funds to build the Health and Wellness Center and spurred this master plan forward.
“This innovative plan could only exist because of the many Urbana residents and others who worked diligently with us to create it, and we thank them.” said Michael Walker, President of the Urbana Park District Board of Commissioners. He added, “Having this plan is essential for securing the funding to implement it. We are excited about how it will support a wide range of active recreational needs for Urbana while protecting the valuable natural features of both these parks.”
Bartlett concluded, “These plans will create a first-ever focal point in east Urbana that gives residents a great place to gather, exercise, play games, enjoy nature and create and enhance community.”
