Former Illinois school transformed into $1.35M accessible park with inclusive playground

Galesburg proudly unveiled Cooke Park on August 26, a $1.352 million project transforming the former Cooke Elementary School property into a fully accessible neighborhood park. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by state legislators, the mayor, city council members, and the public, marked the culmination of years of effort.

The new park boasts an inclusive playground, a splash pad that was running during the ceremony, a picnic shelter, restrooms, walking paths, and a bicycle repair station. Mayor Peter Schwartzman described the opening as one of the proudest moments of his tenure, calling it a testament to effective government collaboration.

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This is a testament to good government, when all different levels of government, from state to local, and then the local community, work together and partner on a project that will have meaning not only immediately, but in the distant future.

"This is a testament to good government, when all different levels of government, from state to local, and then the local community, work together and partner on a project that will have meaning not only immediately, but in the distant future," Schwartzman stated. He thanked the hundreds of people involved, hoping the park would last another century.

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There’ll be some people over here that came from the north side of town, and they’re gonna meet some kid from the south side of town, and they don’t know where they’re from, and they’re gonna become friends.

For many attendees, the site held deep historical significance. Cooke Elementary School operated there for decades before closing in 2014. Ward 4 Alderman Dwight White, who attended the school, shared memories of playing on the grounds, emphasizing its role as a community hub. He expressed hope that the new park would foster new connections and friendships among the city's residents, just as the school grounds once did for his neighborhood.

Margaret Gimenez, a former student from the 1940s, recalled her experience as one of the first girls to serve as patrol guards, highlighting her initiative in questioning the all-boys role. The park's creation represents a new chapter for the beloved site, ensuring it continues to serve the community for generations to come.

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I said, ‘How come you don’t have girl patrol boys?'