The Experience Champaign-Urbana Foundation, the Champaign Park District, and the City of Champaign, with generous support from Champaign County and the Rotary Club of Champaign in partnership with the Champaign Rotary Foundation, are working on an ambitious plan to transform Skelton Park (101 E. Washington Street, Champaign) into a state-of the-art park, community plaza, performance space, and play area as part of the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail. The transformed Skelton Park will be designed to honor the legacy of Champaign County’s many prominent and influential African American musicians.
Plans for the park are underway, with a groundbreaking planned for late summer 2023. The completed park is expected to include interactive musical instruments, new pathways, lighting, a plaza with ample room for small gatherings, and a seating wall and gentle slope for watching performances. The centerpiece will be a steel sculpture designed by African American artist Preston Jackson that reflects the musical heritage of Champaign County’s African American community.
You can be part of this incredible project by ordering and inscribing a brick that will be installed in the new Skelton Park pathways. These bricks are a wonderful way to commemorate your support for the African American Heritage Trail, honor a loved one, or leave an encouraging message for future generations. Proceeds from the brick program will be used to support the Heritage Trail’s many research, artistic, educational, and placemaking efforts. Click here to start your order!
