Detweiller Park
Come visit Detweiller Park in Peoria, IL
Peoria Park District’s 740-acre Detweiller Park is a popular multi-use destination for folks who enjoy golfing, soccer, volleyball, hiking, birding, fishing, and boating. Detweiller Drive, which runs through much of the park, features one of the finest, most diverse collections of oaks; and the early spring show of blooming redbuds should not be missed. The fall foliage of the oaks, sugar maple, white ash, mockernut hickory, and pawpaw is an eagerly anticipated October event. The park provides access to the Illinois River Bluff Trail, a linear 9-mile walking path through Robinson Park.
Historic landmarks within Detweiller Park include Redwood Log and Detweiller Ice House.
Bird watchers should explore the park’s 5+ miles of hiking trails traversing the steep, heavily dissected bluffs which characterize the undeveloped northern/northeastern portions of the park. The forest is in near-pristine condition, and is populated with uncommon plants such as bitternut hickory, black oak, serviceberry, and black walnut, along with spring-blooming woodland wildflowers like Dutchman’s breeches, Virginia bluebells, white trillium, and Solomon’s seal. This site serves as home for sensitive deep-forest-dwelling birds such as Brown Creeper, Red-eyed Vireo, Veery, Ovenbird, and Scarlet Tanager. The boat ramp and riverfront beach are worth the stop to scan the river for ducks, geese, eagles, and osprey.