Editing El Paso, Illinois (section)

== Parks ==

[[File:Jefferson Park, El Paso, Illinois (January 22, 2025).jpg|thumb|Jefferson Park Est. May 26th, 1857]]

[[File:Jefferson (Library) Park Playground.jpg|thumb|Jefferson Park Playground]]

[[File:El Paso Kiwanis Bi-centennial Memorial.jpg|thumb|El Paso Kiwanis Bi-centennial Memorial in Jefferson Park]]

[[File:Franklin Park, El Paso, Illinois (January 22, 2025).jpg|thumb|Franklin Park Est. May 26th, 1857]]

[[File:Franklin Park Elephant Slide, El Paso, Illinois (January 22, 2025).jpg|thumb|Elephant Slide in Franklin Park]]

[[File:Cornbelt Park, El Paso, Illinois (January 22, 2025).jpg|thumb|Cornbelt Park]]

[[File:South Pointe Park, El Paso, Illinois (January 22, 2025).jpg|thumb|South Pointe Park]]

[[File:American Buildings Recreation Center, El Paso, Illinois (January 22, 2025).jpg|thumb|American Buildings Recreation Center]]

[[File:Bike Path Front Street El Paso Illinois.jpg|thumb|Bike Trail & Walking Path]]

El Paso maintains multiple public parks that provide recreational opportunities and green spaces for residents and visitors alike. These parks serve as hubs for community activities, outdoor leisure, and cultural events, reflecting the city's dedication to enhancing quality of life. With features ranging from historic bandstands to modern playgrounds, the parks offer a blend of history, charm, and contemporary amenities.

=== Jefferson Park ===

Established on May 26, 1857, Jefferson Park, one of El Paso's original parks, was donated by Wathen during the city's platting.<ref name="identitycrisis">{{cite news |last=Haas |first=Merlin |title=City of El Paso historic parks suffer an identity crisis |newspaper=El Paso Times-Journal |date=July 4, 2001 |volume=11 |issue=15 |page=1 }}</ref><ref name="elpasostory136">{{cite web |title=El Paso Story: The Centennial Book of El Paso, Illinois |url=http://www.allendrake.com/elpasohistory/epstory/pgtx136.htm |year=1999 |publisher=Heartland Bank & Trust Company |author=Joel Dudley, Derek Campbell, George Drake, Jim Drake, supervised by Allen Drake |access-date=2 January 2025}}</ref> Enclosed with an iron fence in 1877 to protect it from wandering cattle, the park also featured a bandstand that became a focal point for community events and summer concerts.<ref name="identitycrisis" /><ref name="elpasostory135" /><ref name="elpasostory136" /> The Kiwanis Bi-centennial Memorial was built in 1976 by the Kiwanis Club of El Paso as part of the celebration of the United States' bicentennial to honor this milestone and commemorate the community's involvement in the celebration.<ref name="identitycrisis" /> The Kiwanis also added a picnic shelter to the west of the memorial in 1997 followed by a second shelter to the south of the first.<ref name="elpasostory329">{{cite web |title=El Paso Story: The Centennial Book of El Paso, Illinois |url=http://www.allendrake.com/elpasohistory/epstory/pgtx329.htm |year=1999 |publisher=Heartland Bank & Trust Company |author=Joel Dudley, Derek Campbell, George Drake, Jim Drake, supervised by Allen Drake |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="identitycrisis" /> The park currently offers a children's playground, picnic tables, shelter, and an outdoor stage.<ref name="elpasoiljeffersonpark">{{cite web |title=Community Facility Details: El Paso Community Building: Jefferson Park |url=https://elpasoil.recdesk.com/Community/Facility/Detail?facilityId=5 |website=El Paso Parks and Recreation |publisher=City of El Paso, Illinois |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref> The block on which the park resides is also home to the El Paso District Library, which occupies the southern triangle of the block.<ref name="identitycrisis" /> Jefferson Park is known colloquially as Library Park by locals.<ref name="identitycrisis" />

=== Franklin Park ===

Also established on May 26, 1857, Franklin Park, donated by the Gibson family, is another of the city's original parks.<ref name="identitycrisis"/><ref name="elpasostory136" /> Similar to Jefferson Park, Franklin Park was enclosed by an iron fence in 1877 and later improved with diagonal walking paths in 1912.<ref name="elpasostory135">{{cite web |title=El Paso Story: The Centennial Book of El Paso, Illinois |url=http://www.allendrake.com/elpasohistory/epstory/pgtx135.htm |year=1999 |publisher=Heartland Bank & Trust Company |author=Joel Dudley, Derek Campbell, George Drake, Jim Drake, supervised by Allen Drake |access-date=2 January 2025}}</ref> During the 1914 community improvement effort, 536 wagonloads of dirt were added to raise the park's grade.<ref name="identitycrisis" /><ref name="elpasostory135" /><ref name="elpasostory136" /> Over time, additional features such as drinking fountains, playground equipment, and flower beds were incorporated.<ref name="identitycrisis" /><ref name="elpasostory136" /> An iconic slide in the shape of an elephant was added to the playground area in 1962 through fundraising efforts by the El Paso Women's Club.<ref name="womensclub2006">{{cite news |title=After 46 years, Women's Club still helping community |newspaper=El Paso Journal |date=October 4, 2006 |volume=16 |issue=25 |page=1 }}</ref>
<ref name="identitycrisis" /><ref name="epdlthingstodo">{{cite web |title=Things to Do in El Paso |url=https://www.elpasodistrictlibrary.org/things-to-do-in-el-paso.html |website=El Paso District Library |publisher=El Paso District Library |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref> Plans for a gazebo to serve as a central gathering spot for events and visitors in the center of Franklin Park commenced in 2021 with completion of the gazebo in October 2022.<ref name="elpasocitycouncilminutes2021-09-20">{{cite web |title=City Council Meeting Minutes - September 20, 2021 |url=https://www.elpasoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09202021-196 |website=City of El Paso, Illinois |publisher=City of El Paso |format=PDF |date=20 September 2021 |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="elpasocitycouncilminutes2022-10-24">{{cite web |title=City Council Meeting Minutes - October 24, 2022 |url=https://www.elpasoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10242022-232 |website=City of El Paso, Illinois |publisher=City of El Paso |format=PDF |date=24 October 2022 |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref> Nicknamed "Elephant Park" due to its iconic elephant slide, Franklin Park remains a cherished recreational area in El Paso.<ref name="elpasoilfranklinpark">{{cite web |title=Community Facility Details: El Paso Community Building: Franklin Park |url=https://elpasoil.recdesk.com/Community/Facility/Detail?facilityId=7 |website=El Paso Parks and Recreation |publisher=City of El Paso, Illinois |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref>

=== Corn Belt Park ===

Established in 1951 on a former Fursman & Straight tile factory clay pit purchased by the city on October 4, 1920, Corn Belt Park has been a central recreational area in El Paso.<ref name="elpasostory136" /><ref name="identitycrisis" /><ref name="woodfordcountybook">{{cite book |title=History of Woodford County, Illinois |author=Woodford County Historical Society |year=1908 |page=62 |url=https://ldsgenealogy.com/books3/woodfordcountyhi00wood.pdf |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref> The city used the pit located at Main Street and Pine Street for refuse until full, leveling the area in 1951 for conversion into a park named El Paso Corn Belt Park.<ref name="elpasostory136" /><ref name="identitycrisis" /><ref name="elpasotimesjournal2001">{{cite news |author=Merlin Haas |title=The Good Old Days |newspaper=El Paso Times-Journal |date=June 20, 2001 |volume=11 |issue=13 |page=4}}</ref><ref name="genealogytrails_elpasotownship"/> The park currently offers basketball courts, a small playground area, and a sheltered picnic area.<ref name="elpasoilcornbelt">{{cite web |title=Community Facility Details: El Paso Community Building: Corn Belt Park |url=https://elpasoil.recdesk.com/Community/Facility/Detail?facilityId=6 |website=El Paso Parks and Recreation |publisher=City of El Paso, Illinois |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref>

=== South Pointe Park ===

South Pointe Park, located on the southern edge of El Paso, offers modern recreational facilities including walking trails, sports fields, recreation center, pool, and playground.<ref name="elpasoilsouthpointe">{{cite web |title=Community Facility Details: El Paso Community Building: South Pointe Park |url=https://elpasoil.recdesk.com/Community/Facility/Detail?facilityId=2 |website=El Paso Parks and Recreation |publisher=City of El Paso, Illinois |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref> Development of the park began in 1987 with the city's purchase of the land south of Clay Street.<ref name="elpasorecord1989-03-23">{{cite news |title=Know your candidates; election April 4 |author=Nancy Neisler |newspaper=The El Paso Record |date=March 23, 1989 |pages=1–2 |volume=10 |issue=45 }}</ref><ref name="identitycrisis" /> An Olympic-sized swimming pool with a lap pool and diving board opened for use in 1992.<ref name="identitycrisis" /> The Community Building directly to the east of the pool also opened in 1992 and provides space for public meetings, private events, and local programs.<ref name="record1992-06-25">{{cite news |title=City council action will benefit South Pointe Park |newspaper=The Record |date=June 25, 1992 |page=2 |volume=14 |issue=49 }}</ref> With construction beginning on the facility in 2022, the American Buildings Recreation Center features a gymnasium, fitness rooms, and spaces for indoor sports and exercise classes, significantly expanding the park's year-round recreational offerings.<ref name="elpasoilreccenter">{{cite web |title=Community Facility Details: El Paso Community Building: Rec Center |url=https://elpasoil.recdesk.com/Community/Facility/Detail?facilityId=11 |website=El Paso Parks and Recreation |publisher=City of El Paso, Illinois |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref> Today, South Pointe Park remains an essential part of the El Paso community, supporting sports leagues, family gatherings, and various public events.

=== Bike Trail & Walking Path ===
The Bike Trail & Walking Path is a 5.4-mile multi-use path that extends from approximately 1.5 miles north of El Paso to South Pointe Park, effectively bisecting the community.<ref name="biketrail">{{cite web |title=Bike Trail & Walking Path |url=https://www.elpasoil.org/facilities/facility/details/Bike-Trail-Walking-Path-1 |website=City of El Paso Official Website |access-date=2 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="traillinkelpaso">{{cite web |title=El Paso Walking Trail |url=https://www.traillink.com/trail/el-paso-walking-trail/ |website=TrailLink |access-date=2 January 2025}}</ref> Developed along a former railroad right-of-way as part of the Rails to Trails program beginning in 1989, the trail offers a flat, accessible route for both cyclists and pedestrians.<ref name="daycarecenter1989">{{cite news |last=Neisler |first=Nancy |title=Council neutralizes day care center location |newspaper=The El Paso Record |date=March 4, 1989 |volume=12 |issue=36 |page=7 }}</ref> The trail begins at South Pointe Park on the city's south side and traverses through El Paso, concluding near a creek north of town amidst cultivated fields. The 1.3-mile northern extension was added via a grand in 1992.<ref name="moolmayor1993">{{cite news |last=Cluver |first=Jane |title=Mool seated as mayor; Council adopts budget |newspaper=The El Paso Record |date=May 5, 1993 |volume=3 |issue=8 |page=1 }}</ref> This conversion of the abandoned railway into a recreational asset reflects the city's commitment to repurposing historical infrastructure for community benefit. The trail provides residents and visitors with a scenic route for exercise and leisure, enhancing the city's recreational offerings.<ref name="biketrail" />