Glen Oak Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Glen Oak Park is a popular attraction in Peoria, Illinois, known for its scenic beauty and diverse range of activities.
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Summary
The park covers over 70 acres and features numerous amenities, making it an ideal destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and nature lovers.
Some of the top reasons to visit Glen Oak Park include its stunning landscapes, numerous playgrounds, and a large outdoor pool. Visitors can also explore the park's many trails, picnic areas, and sports fields, as well as enjoy a ride on the historic Luthy Botanical Garden carousel.
Other points of interest in the park include the Peoria Zoo, which is home to over 100 species of animals, and the Glen Oak Amphitheatre, which hosts a variety of concerts, plays, and other events throughout the year.
Interesting facts about Glen Oak Park include its long history, which dates back to the early 1900s when it was first established as a public park. Over the years, the park has undergone many changes and improvements, including the addition of new attractions and facilities.
The best time of year to visit Glen Oak Park depends on personal preferences and the activities you plan to enjoy. In the summer months, the park is a popular spot for swimming and outdoor recreation, while the fall and spring are ideal for hiking and exploring the park's natural beauty.
Overall, Glen Oak Park is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Peoria, Illinois, offering something for everyone in a beautiful and family-friendly setting.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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