This is a nice run in the central part of Peoria, combining a couple of miles of paths along Peoria Lake & the Illinois River, with a loop around Oak Park. There are also some nice ways to expand the run. Bonus: Lit at night.
Start at Liberty Park, just north of the Bob Michel Bridge, near the Central Business District. The paved trail goes through several small riverfront parks. There’s a wide open feel, with pleasant landscaping and nice water views. Overall, the trail is ~2.5 miles. You’ll run by Eckwood Park, the RiverPlex Recreation and Wellness Center, some nice gardens, and the Detweiller Marina. Just past the Marina is a highlight of the run: the great views from the Tip of the Trail Point!
Here, you can retrace your steps along the river for a 5-mile out & back, or continue to Glen Oak Park. It’s 0.4 miles along Abington St. Just before the park, there’s a running track at Woodruff High School. The leafy park is a popular Peoria spot, with a Playhouse, Amphitheater, a small lagoon, Ingersoll Statue, and a zoo at its north end. A loop of the park, combining a section of the Rock Island Greenway and other park paths, is 1.5 miles. Note: the park is hilly!
Add-Ons: Can continue north of Glen Oak Park on the 13-mile Rock Island Greenway. It’s also possible to cross the river and explore the East Peoria waterfront. From Liberty Park, it’s ~1 mile to East Peoria over the Bob Michel Bridge (not especially pleasant, but runnable). Then there’s ~1 mile of riverfront running in East Peoria River Front Park.
This is a nice run in the central part of Peoria, combining a couple of miles of paths along Peoria Lake & the Illinois River, with a loop around Oak Park. There are also some nice ways to expand the run. Bonus: Lit at night.
Start at Liberty Park, just north of the Bob Michel Bridge, near the Central Business District. The paved trail goes through several small riverfront parks. There’s a wide open feel, with pleasant landscaping and nice water views. Overall, the trail is ~2.5 miles. You’ll run by Eckwood Park, the RiverPlex Recreation and Wellness Center, some nice gardens, and the Detweiller Marina. Just past the Marina is a highlight of the run: the great views from the Tip of the Trail Point!
Here, you can retrace your steps along the river for a 5-mile out & back, or continue to Glen Oak Park. It’s 0.4 miles along Abington St. Just before the park, there’s a running track at Woodruff High School. The leafy park is a popular Peoria spot, with a Playhouse, Amphitheater, a small lagoon, Ingersoll Statue, and a zoo at its north end. A loop of the park, combining a section of the Rock Island Greenway and other park paths, is 1.5 miles. Note: the park is hilly!
Add-Ons: Can continue north of Glen Oak Park on the 13-mile Rock Island Greenway. It’s also possible to cross the river and explore the East Peoria waterfront. From Liberty Park, it’s ~1 mile to East Peoria over the Bob Michel Bridge (not especially pleasant, but runnable). Then there’s ~1 mile of riverfront running in East Peoria River Front Park.
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