A new walking path, two pollinator and butterfly habitats, and educational signage are all coming to Kelly Moore Park in Arcola, thanks to a $35,000 grant from the Lumpkin Family Foundation.
A Land Health and Community Grant will fund the construction of a roughly 6,200-square-foot walking path on the south side of the park, along with the two dedicated pollinator and butterfly habitats. The habitats will give park visitors, especially younger children, a chance to learn about the role pollinators play in the local ecosystem, with signage posted throughout to bring that educational experience to life. It’s a unique addition that differs from your typical park improvement, blending recreation with some additional environmental awareness.
The walking path itself will begin near the existing sidewalks by the soccer fields and will curve around to connect to and eventually cross over Fishel Road. Hannah Myers, Community Development Specialist for the City of Arcola, says the project is a direct response to the growing popularity of Kelly Moore Park. The park has seen a significant uptick in visitors already with new ball fields, a splash pad, and expanded community events. She had observed many walkers and runners already using nearby side roads due to the lack of a dedicated path, something this project will work to fix.
Myers is also thinking of the bigger picture. She called this stretch of walking path just “phase 1” of what she hopes will eventually become a complete loop around the entire park. Construction is expected to begin in late summer or early fall.
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