Laura Bradley Park
Park in Peoria, Illinois, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Laura Bradley Park, also known as Bradley Park, is a park in Peoria, Illinois, United States.[1] It historically contained a wading pool for children and flower gardens.[2][3] As of 2022[update], it offers sports facilities, picnic sites, hiking opportunities on paved tracks, and a Japanese bridge.[1]
| Laura Bradley Park | |
|---|---|
| Bradley Park | |
Japanese Garden area in Laura Bradley Park, Peoria, Illinois, around 1920 | |
 Interactive map of Laura Bradley Park | |
| Nearest city | Peoria, Illinois |
| Area | 100 acres (40 ha) |
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The 100-acre (40 ha) park was given to the city of Peoria by Lydia Moss Bradley (1816-1908) in memory of her daughter Laura Bradley, who died in 1864 at the age of 14.[2]
Japanese Garden
A Japanese garden area was constructed by Peoria parks workers under the direction of Chicago Japanese garden builder T.R. Otsuka in Spring 1918, according to that year’s report[4] of the park district board of trustees: “After the general plan had been adopted by the board, Mr. T.R. Otsuka, a Japanese landscape artist, from Chicago, was engaged to supervise the laying out of the walks, placing of stones, and general planning. A Japanese temple, or tea house, was constructed on the highest elevation.”
In 2021, a wooden pedestrian bridge from the 1930s that spans Dry Run Creek was replaced with a concrete bridge for $1.3 million dollars.[5][6] The Japanese bridge also underwent renovations for $30,000.[5] The Peoria Park District reopened both bridges in April 2022.[6]
In 2020, the park district board voted to remove a controversial Christopher Columbus statue.[7][8][9] A statue of the Greek goddess Hebe had been erected at the Main Street entrance until it was damaged by a car in 1954.[8]
