Peoria Park District’s Proctor Recreation Center is hosting a 3-on-3 Basketball  Tournament called Rage in the Cage on Saturday, March 15. Divisions include Boys 17 years and younger, Mens 18 years and older, and Womens 12 years and older. This is a FREE tournament and age will be verified by photo ID. Please pre-register to guarantee your entry. Call for more info: 309-671-9183. Proctor Recreation Center is an official Safe Haven Site for Peoria’s community. For more information call Proctor Recreation  Center at 673-9183.

The Peoria Park District’s Luthy Botanical Garden will present their annual Lily Show March 28 through April 20 in the Garden Conservatory. The Garden Conservatory will be a botanical wonderland of tropicals, spring plants and hundreds of lilies, of course. This year’s theme is “Lilies and the Lorax.” Yes, truffula trees will be added to our collection!

The Lily Show always makes an impressive presentation for families and friends during the spring and Easter season. Admission to the Lily Show is $2.50 for adults. Children 12 and under and Garden members are FREE. For more information on the Lily Show or how to become a Garden member, call the Luthy Botanical Garden at (309) 681-3506.

The Peoria Park District’s Luthy Botanical Garden will present their annual Lily Show March 28 through April 20 in the Garden Conservatory.

The Garden Conservatory will be a botanical wonderland of tropicals, spring plants and hundreds of lilies, of course. This year’s theme, “Lilies and the Lorax,” honors Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, which imparts a very special environmental message (see below)” *

The Lily Show always makes an impressive presentation for families and friends during the spring and Easter season. Be sure to visit on Palm Sunday, April 13, 1-3 p.m., when the Glen Oak Christian Church Bell Choir fills our Conservatory with their melodic

sounds. Admission to the Lily Show is $2.50 for adults. Children 12 and under and Garden members are FREE. For more information on the Lily Show or how to become a Garden member, call the Luthy Botanical Garden at (309) 681-3506.

*Long before “going green” was mainstream, Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax spoke for the trees, warning us of the dangers of disrespecting the environment. In this cautionary tale, we  learn of the Once-ler, who came across a valley of Truffula Trees and Brown Bar-ba-

loots and how his harvesting of the tufted trees changed the landscape forever. In the story, the Lorax confronted the Once-ler and expressed the importance of protecting nature. With the release of the film version, the Lorax and his classic tale have educated a

new generation – not only about the importance of seeing the beauty in the world around us, but also about our responsibility to respect and protect it. In that spirit, truffula trees will be added to our Conservatory collection during this year’s Lily Show!

The Peoria Park District’s Peoria Pops Orchestra will present “TV Show Themes…Do You Remember?” on Sunday, March 30, 4:00 p.m., at Five Points Washington.

Come take a musical journey to the past with the Peoria Pops as we remember the music of some favorite TV shows of yesteryear! From game shows to sitcoms, Saturday morning cartoons to spaghetti westerns and our favorite spy shows, the music of

television has always permeated our culture in a big way. This is sure to be another family-friendly, fun night of music with the Peoria Pops Orchestra. Five Points Washington is located at 360 N. Wilmore Rd. in Washington, Ill. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students or groups of eight or more. Theater doors open at 3:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 4 p.m.

Bring the entire family – this Peoria Pops concert is sure to bring back some great musical memories from TV land! For more information or tickets, please call (309) 444-822.

The last day in Glen Oak Pavilion for Peoria Park District administrative and recreation staff  is Friday, February 14. Beginning Monday, February 17 administrative and recreation offices will be located at the Bonnie W. Noble Center for Park Administration, located at 1125 W.  Lake Avenue in Lakeview Park.

Other contact information for the Peoria Park District will remain the same, including phone numbers for the reception desk (309-682-1200) and recreation desk (309-688-3667).

The safety of Glen Oak Park will remain a priority for the Peoria Park District. Glen Oak Pavilion will not remain vacant after the move. Rather, Peoria Park District staff will remain on-site during the work day readying the building for its eventual transformation into the Peoria PlayHouse children’s museum. Once construction begins on the building, Peoria Park District staff, as well as the builders, will be on-site daily.

Glen Oak Park will also remain the home of Peoria Zoo, Peoria Rotary Adventure Gove and a myriad of family activities at Glen Oak Lagoon, including Clyde West Fishing Derby, Fireworks Spectacular and PNC Worldwide Day of Play.

The tennis courts, pickleball courts, trail and sports fields will continued to be used by the Peoria Park District, as well as open for use by the public. We anticipate that Glen Oak Park will remain an extremely popular place for family picnics and outings as well.

It is the Peoria Park District’s intention to repurpose and restore Glen Oak Pavilion as a place for families to gather in the community by converting the building to the Peoria PlayHouse children’s museum. This will further the Peoria Park District goal of making Glen Oak Park a daylong destination for the families of the area. We anticipate this will make Peoria Zoo a  more viable year-round site and become more attractive to school groups. Both the Zoo and Children’s Museum will benefit from shared expenses for programming, staff, development and marketing.

Construction and development of the Glen oak Pavilion into the Peoria PlayHouse can only  begin once 90% of the needed funds are raised. We have reached 85% now and every little bit helps move us toward our goal. Donations to the Power of Play campaign can be made through the Peoria Zoo website at www.peoriazoo.org and the Power of Play website at www.powerofplaypeoria.org.

The Peoria Park District’s Coach Pitch program is a non-competitive league that stresses the fundamentals of baseball to boys and girls ages 6-8. The season runs June 2-July 19 and costs $48/residents, $53/non-residents. Players and parents must attend a mandatory meeting on May 28 at 6:15 p.m. at Lakeview Recreation Center.

There are a variety of locations and times available to choose from. Complete descriptions and schedules are in the current Playbook and online at www.peoriaparks.org/baseball, or call (309) 681-2867 with questions.

 Minors and Majors Baseball 

The Peoria Park District’s Minors (ages 9-10) and Majors (ages 11-12) baseball seasons begin May 19 and run through July 12. Players can choose from teams at Franciscan Rec Complex, Kellar School, and Von Steuben. Cost for Minors is $53/residents, $58/non-residents. Cost for Majors is $58/residents, $63/non-residents.

Players must attend a mandatory meeting on May 14 at Lakeview Recreation Center. Visit www.peoriaparks.org/baseball for more complete descriptions, requirements and online registration.

 Pony Baseball 

The Peoria Park District’s and Old Timers Baseball Association’s Pony Baseball season for ages 13-14 runs May 5-July 11. Cost is $63/residents, $68/non-residents. Register using code 58538. Visit  for more complete descriptions, requirements and online registration.

The Peoria Park District’s Tee Ball program is a non-competitive introduction to baseball for boys and girls ages 4-5. The season runs June 3-July 19 and costs $41/residents, $46/non-residents. Players and parents must attend a mandatory meeting on May 28 at 5:30 p.m. at Lakeview Recreation Center.

There are a variety of locations and times available to choose from. Complete descriptions and schedules are in the current Playbook and online at www.peoriaparks.org/baseball, or call (309) 681-2867 with questions.

FC Peoria is conducting a Soccer Skills Training Program for children in grades K-5 beginning April 7 at Mossville Soccer Complex. Participants will work on developing soccer fundamentals under the guidance of professional coaches and will be grouped by age and skill to provide the best experience. Cost is $55. For registration information visit www.fcpeoria.com or contact doc@fcpeoria.com.

The Peoria Park District’s Youth Outdoor Select Soccer League U8-U11 for girls and boys begins the weekend of April 6 and will consist of a six game season. All games take place at Mossville Soccer Complex. Team fees are $225 for U8-U9 and $300 for U10-U11.

Registration deadline is March 14. Contact Matt at 681-2866 with questions.

Registration for Youth Soccer at the Peoria Park District is currently underway. The season runs from March 24 through May 17. This youth program is for boys and girls, age 4 through grade 8. This is a great way for children to be a part of a team, meet new friends, and learn to play soccer. All leagues will play at Mossville Soccer Complex.

Registration runs until March 10 or until the league is full. There will be a $5 late fee for registering after March 10. Participants may register online at www.peoriaparks.org or at Lakeview Recreation Center. Contact Matt Suellentrop at 681-2866 with questions.