"It's sort of confusing," said Kevin Yates, the director of parks and recreation for the Chillicothe Park District. "There are a lot of jurisdictions involved."

After years of discussion, the park land was recently given to the Chillicothe Park District by Signature Homes, the developer of two subdivisions in the area that could add as many as 461 single-family homes during the next several years. The property, on the west side of Allen Road between Wilhelm and Hickory Grove roads, contains three consecutive ponds and will be surrounded by newly constructed homes in the Winncrest and Stonegate subdivisions. The park district land includes a buffer of open land between the ponds and the property lines of the new homes.

The area is the site of potentially even more development. Dunlap School District's plans include a referendum on the November ballot to construct an elementary school on a 15-acre parcel on the west side of Allen Road at the corner of Hickory Grove and Allen roads.

"We're working with the Dunlap School District to see if there might be ways to create sort of an outdoor classroom where they could go and observe a natural wetland area or identify trees, that sort of thing," Yates said.

That the Chillicothe Park District extends so far into Medina Township that it crosses into the city of Peoria, is a story that goes back 50 years. In the 1960s Caterpillar Inc. asked that its land around the Mossville plant be included in the Peoria Park District, said Mike Krost, the president of the Chillicothe Park Board.

Fearing involuntary inclusion in the Peoria Park District, area farmers turned to the Chillicothe Park District and asked to be included to avoid paying the higher taxes in Peoria. New boundaries were established and the Chillicothe Park District extended into Medina Township (it's jurisdiction also includes all of Chillicothe Township) and south into the area of the new park, some 11 miles from Chillicothe City Hall.

In some areas of the new subdivisions, neighbors will pay taxes to different park districts.

Krost said the residents of the city of Chillicothe shouldn't feel slighted that their tax dollars are going to pay for a park in Peoria.

"The (Chillicothe) park district boundaries are what they are, we can't change that. The new park will be in an area of the district that currently pays taxes but is currently underserved. Those people pay taxes to the park district just like the people who live in the city of Chillicothe do."

Access to the new park will be from walking trails through the subdivision and by car from a parking lot off of West Hickory Grove Road. Plans include a walking path around the ponds, a playground, covered pavilion and eventually restrooms.

Yates said the park would be developed as the subdivision is developed and could take three years to complete. Cost to the park district is around $400,000, Yates said.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/tricounty/x1279445629/New-park-on-the-drawing-board

While the 439 sales racked up in June was down slightly from June 2009, when 453 homes were sold, there were 1,425 homes sold in the second quarter compared with 1,206 sold over the same period last year.

The average sale price for homes in the Peoria area was $138,297 in the quarter, down from $141,829 in the second quarter 2009.

Area sales for the first six months of this year total 2,285 homes, compared with 1,932 homes sold during the first six months of 2009.

PAAR President Bill Embry said the increase was aided by federal tax credits that expired at the end of June.

"I think there will be a little slump following the tax credits. The challenge now is to keep sending the message to qualified buyers that interest rates are at a 40-year low and that there is no better time to buy a home," he said.

The inventory of available homes continues to expand in the Peoria market, reaching 3,135 in June, up from 2,697 in June 2009.

"Inventories have been up for the whole year," said Embry. A large selection of homes on the market gives buyers plenty to choose from, but those buyers shouldn't assume that "lowball" offers rule the day, he said.

"It's a mixed bag. I've seen (area) homes that have received numerous offers while others haven't received anything," said Embry.

Low interest rates are not only encouraging some to shop for a house but prompting more people to refinance their present home, he said.

Tom Brown, controller at Tremont Savings Bank, confirmed that interest rates are drawing refinancing interest.

"It's definitely a trend. We've had a lot of people who want to look into it to see if it makes sense for them. The 15-year rates we've seen are the lowest anyone can remember at this bank," he said.

PAAR CEO Dallas Hancock said lower interest rates give a home buyer flexibility. "The lower rates can either lower your house payment or allow you to buy more house for the money," she said.

Tightened credit regulations means that one in four people now lack the credit to get a home loan, said Embry. As a result, PAAR is partnering with other area groups to hold classes for potential homebuyers, he said.

"Keys to Homeownership: Five East Steps" will be presented over two, three-hour classes from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on consecutive Tuesdays, Aug. 10 and Aug. 17 at PAAR offices, 7307 N. Willowlake Court. The cost for the two classes is $25 for an individual and $40 per couple.

The five steps include preparing for home ownership, shopping for a home, obtaining a home loan, closing the sale and taking on the responsibilities of homeownership, said Embry. Additional classes are scheduled each month through November.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x312166132/Peoria-area-home-sales-increase-in-the-second-quarter

Children 12 and younger will be admitted to the park without charge. The cost for those age 13 and older is $6.50.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include pony rides, carnival games, face painting, airbrush tattoos, miniature golf and train rides. There also will be dog training demonstrations and helmet checks.

In conjunction with the day's activities, Odor-Eaters will be on site with its Rotten Sneaker Contest.

Children ages 5 to 15 are encouraged to wear their "rottenest" sneakers to the park between 10 a.m. and noon. The participant with the smelliest shoes could be flown to Vermont for the final competition.

The winner at the park will also receive $200, the Golden Sneaker Award, a certificate and a basket of Odor-Eater products.

For more information and complete contest rules visit www.wildlifeprairiestatepark. org or call 676-0998.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/tricounty/x23931215/Wildlife-Prairie-State-Park-to-host-Kids-Day