PEORIA (25 News) – The Peoria Park District rejected a letter of intent with the Detweiller Playground Trust after the board delayed action earlier this spring, an issue that voided the contract and did not guarantee the district would be included in negotiations between the Detweiller trust and O’Brien Steel.
The letter of intent is a mostly non-binding agreement that outlines the framework and timeline for the park district and the Detweiller trust to negotiate expanded public trail access through the marina, including a wider easement and planned improvements.
The dispute centers on riverfront property near Caroline Street, and concerns about future land sales and public access. Residents have urged the park district to take a harder stance, arguing the public was left out of earlier court proceedings involving the trust.
With the letter of intent now denied, park district leaders said there will be no formal partnership or cooperation with the Detweiller Playground Trust under that proposal.
Supporters of public access called the vote a win, but said the fight is not over. They are now urging the park board to take legal action to stop the Detweiller trust from selling or transferring any property until a judge can review the case. They said their goal is to protect donor intent and keep the riverfront open to the public.
Mark Slover, trustee for the Northern District, said the board missed an opportunity.
“Partisan bias, just something that the board should diligently work to avoid. I think we missed an opportunity; I think it was a good deal,” Slover said.
(Reporting by Kayla Johnson)
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