Galesburg hosting ribbon cutting for Cooke Park

Galesburg is ready to open the newly expanded Cooke Park.

The city invites the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, August 26 at 11:30 to celebrate the completion of Cooke Park, 652 W. Second Street. Click here for more information on parks in Galesburg.

“We are pleased to be able to open Cooke Park with expanded features for our community to enjoy, and hope everyone comes out to join us at the ribbon cutting,” said Don Miles, director of Parks & Recreation.

The $1.352 million park development turned the former Cooke Elementary School property into a fully accessible neighborhood hub. The park features an inclusive playground, picnic shelter, restrooms, bicycle repair station, walking paths and parking area, which opened to the public earlier this season. The ceremony marks the official launch of the park's final component: a brand-new splash pad completed this month.

Initial park development was funded by a $500,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), matched by the City of Galesburg. The addition of the splash pad was made possible through a $250,000 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant secured with support from State Senator Mike Halpin and private donations raised by the citizen-led Cooke Park Project group.

“We are extremely grateful to the State of Illinois, IDNR, Senator Halpin and the dedicated members of the Cooke Park project group whose advocacy and fundraising brought this project to life,” said Eric Hanson, City Manager. “Seeing children and families already enjoying the playground—and now the new splash pad—is a testament to what our community can achieve together.”

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