Friends of Rocky Glen is pleased to announce the resumption of free monthly hikes through the Glen beginning March 12, 2016. Hikers should dress for the weather and expect to be on a moderately difficult trail. All hikes begin at 10:00 a.m., with departure and return to Jimmy’s Bar, 2801 Farmington Road, West Peoria by noon. Hikes were suspended in October of 2015. Additional hikes are scheduled for April 9, May 7, June 18, July 2, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 5 and December 3.
Rocky Glen is a 125 acre natural area in West Peoria, located adjacent to Kickapoo Creek Road. It is owned by the Peoria Park District but currently has no public parking. Consequently it is closed to the public. The Friends of Rocky Glen (FORG), and the Peoria Park District (PPD), have an operating agreement to allow FORG to lead guided tours. FORG is fundraising to assist the PPD in developing public access to the park, which is one of the contractual obligations the PPD accepted when they acquired the park in 2013. FORG memberships and merchandise will be available at all monthly hikes, fundraisers and at the Global Village store, 1308 E Seiberling Avenue in Peoria Heights. FORG is a federal non-profit 501(c)3 composed entirely of volunteers.
Since its founding in October 2010, FORG has raised over $35,000 to support Rocky Glen. In the past two years FORG partnered with Forest Park Foundation in a very successful matching grant program. This year FORG is excited to announce a matching grant program with the Mike and Derek Rucker family. FORG also works with the Caterpillar Foundation to accept donations and matching funds from Caterpillar employees and retirees. We are thankful and proud of these partnerships which have accelerated fundraising efforts for a parking lot, trails and signage that will someday make Rocky Glen completely accessible to the public.
FORG will host a Spring Plant sale on April 30, from 9:00 a.m. – noon, at Haddad’s West Peoria Market, 2407 W. Rohmann Ave, West Peoria. Additional fundraisers are being planned throughout the year including yoga sessions, a Fall hike and fundraiser at Jimmy’s Bar and an Art Auction at Sky Harbor Steakhouse.
Friends of Rocky Glen also sponsors Adopt-A-Highway along a two mile stretch of Kickapoo Creek Road. Our 2016 clean-up dates are: Saturday, April 30, 12:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 11, 12:30 p.m.; Friday, August 19, 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 8, 9:00 a.m.
For more information, contact President David Pittman at dvdpttmn@aol.com, 309-573-2354 or visit the FORG website www.friendsofrockyglen.org or our Facebook page facebook.com/FriendsOfRockyGlen