HR0755 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0755 LRB103 40516 ECR 73001 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Jaycee Park in Petersburg on the completion of its renovations; and

WHEREAS, In 1931, a section of land was offered to the City of Petersburg for $1 with the intention it was to be used as a public play and recreation ground, and over the decades that followed, it was developed into a park; and

WHEREAS, Jaycee Park has been maintained by the Menard County Jaycees and the Town & Country Women's Club, with both groups making donations of equipment and providing volunteer efforts to the park throughout its existence; and

WHEREAS, Despite improvements made over the years, Jaycee Park was in need of major updates, leading the City of Petersburg to partner with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) to develop a Community Revitalization Strategy in the fall of 2020; as part of the development process, a community needs assessment survey was conducted, and the number one development need cited by survey respondents was parks and recreation; and

WHEREAS, The City of Petersburg received the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program grant in 2023, and with the help of this grant, local businesses, and the community, a fundraising campaign was led by the Town & Country Women's Club to revitalize Jaycee Park; and

WHEREAS, Jaycee Park's revitalization includes the installation of all new fencing and gates to fully enclose the park property, the construction of a concrete walking path around the park's inside perimeter and a concrete basketball court, the removal of existing playground equipment, the purchase and installation of new, accessible playground equipment, the building of new fitness equipment and sports equipment, the installation of turf surfacing, and the construction of a one-stall bathroom with a water fountain; and

WHEREAS, To welcome the people of Petersburg to the new, completed Jaycee Park, there will be a ribbon cutting on June 2, 2024; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Jaycee Park in Petersburg on the completion of its renovations.