Below is a list of shaded playgrounds for those unbearably hot days when the kids need to run off energy.

Grandview Drive Park is our summer favorite. The play structure, swings, sandbox, & picnic area are completely shaded under towering trees. Plus, there are restrooms nearby. The park is located near the intersection of Grandview Dr & Reservoir in Peoria Heights.

Glen Oak Park Playground behind the park office building is great for kindergarteners & younger. The playground, picnic area, sandbox, & swings are shaded well.

Detweiller Park near the Dogwood shelter has the playground & picnic area shaded. There are also restrooms.

Coca-Cola is giving one State Park in the country $100,000, plus $1 goes to the National Park Foundation for every vote cast.... Visit the link below to vote for the HAZEL AND BILL RUTHERFORD WILDLIFE PRAIRIE STATE PARK. You can vote multiple times, and the contest ends 8/31.

www.livepositively.com

Tip: Find the park by zip code "61528" or by name "HAZEL AND BILL RUTHERFORD WILDLIFE PRAIRIE STATE PARK"

PeoriaParent.com is for you, the Peoria Parent. The Calendar & Directory will help you find kid-friendly activities in the Peoria-area. YOU can post a calendar event from your school, church, fundraiser, social group, or business if it’s family friendly. YOU can post an informational blog if it relates to families. YOU can create a public or private group with a message board & calendar. Everything is FREE, after you sign up with an account. We’re always trying to improve, so comments are always appreciated.

The new Children’s Hospital of Illinois has a public open house with tours this weekend, July 17-18. View the PeoriaParent.com calendar for more details. It’s a close-up view, before the hospital opens in August.

Hy-Vee is a new grocery store in Sheridan Village that opened this week. I’ve heard several mommies excited about the Caribou Coffee. It’s something to check out, if you want to explore a different grocery shopping scene.

Wildlife Prairie State Park

The Friends of Wildlife Prairie State Park have been included in the CHASE Community Giving contest. They are awarding one charity $250k, 4 charities with $100k and 195 with $20k.

There are only a little over 3 days left to vote! So, please don't wait. Click on the link below today and encourage all of your Facebook friends to do the same!!!

http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/?ref=mf

Just become of fan of the Chase Community Giving Application and then vote for FRIENDS OF WILDLIFE PRAIRIE STATE PARK!

Peoria Promise

From pjstar.com:

Peoria Promise is still in the running for a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.

Stay-at-home mom? Part-time or work-from-home mom? Think you're alone?

The MOMS Club of Peoria invites you to come meet some great moms and kids while learning about fire safety!

Wednesday July 14th from 10am-12pm at The Church of Christ Northwest, 7722 N Allen Road, Peoria IL.

The Peoria Fire Department will have a Firetruck on site for the little ones to see, coloring books, and a fireman will be there to talk to us about fire safety. We will also have snacks and drinks available. Please tell your friends and tell them to tell their friends. There is also a playground and picnic tables there too.

For more information about this event, please e-mail: momsclubofpeoria_north@yahoo.com or peoriamomsclub@yahoo.com

Summer has arrived with its scorching weather. Water fun will definitely quench it. Some of my mommy friends have been doing the rounds at the local water attractions. Below are some of the most popular.

Harry La Hood Park in Washington has an awesome water play area with sprayers, sprinklers, and fountains. It is one of my favorite summer spots. Plus, it's FREE!

Shore Acres Pool in Chillicothe is a favorite with several of my mommy friends.

Splashdown in East Peoria has unique Family Friday Fun Nights. Pool...Night Lights...DJ...Enough Said!

A Farmer's Market is a great place to take kids. Encourage healthy eating habits by letting kids pick out fresh veggies and fruits for their meals. Also, there is always so much more than food to explore at the farmer's market. Below is a listing of some markets.

Peoria Riverfront Market, occurs every Saturday morning on the Peoria Riverfront

Peoria Farmer's Market at the Metro Centre, occurs Monday- Friday starting at 8am.

Peoria Heights Farmer's Market, occurs every Wednesday from 4-7pm in Heritage Square on Prospect.

Provided by the Peoria County Communications Office

Peoria – These and much more will be at Peoria County's Fifth Annual Emergency Expo on Wednesday, June 16 at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie from 4:00 - 7:00pm. Over twenty local emergency response agencies will display their emergency equipment in the parking lot along War Memorial Drive for the public to explore & experience, free of charge. Featured at the Expo are OSF Saint Francis and Methodist Medical Centers' medical helicopters; Peoria Fire Department's Fire Safety House; Peoria County Sheriff's SWAT vehicle, mounted patrol, & K-9 unit; and Homeland Security Region 10's mobile command unit.

Provided by the Peoria County Communications Office

Peoria - Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) is having its kick-off event at PAWS on Saturday, June 12. The public is invited to attend TAILgaters from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at 2600 NE Perry Street. TAILgaters gives Peoria County residents and pet-lovers an opportunity to meet the new owners of PAWS: Peoria County! This free event includes a dogbone-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. with County Board Chairman Thomas O'Neill III, Board Members Michael Phelan and Andrew Rand, and Lauren Malmberg, Director of PCAPS.