Editing El Paso, Illinois (section)

=== 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>