Peoria, IL – Partners from across Peoria are excited to announce the Walk the Block
initiative! The City of Peoria’s Community Development Department and Innovation Team (i-team), Peoria
City/County Health Department, Proctor Recreation Center, East Bluff Community Center and the Local
Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) have designed a summer-long walking program with an emphasis on
building community relationships and stomping out crime, all while getting a daily dose of exercise.

Two pilot sites have been identified for the first year of the Walk the Block initiative. Walking routes will
be indicated on sidewalks around the Proctor Center in the South side and in conjunction with LISC’s
Community Core initiative in the East Bluff. Programming will take place from May through August to
encourage residents to use the walking routes as a form of exercise and serve as a neighborhood watch
at the same time. Residents will be encouraged to pledge their participation at the kickoff events, which
will take place at:

• Proctor Center
  
   309 S DuSable Street
  
   Peoria, IL 61605

• East Bluff Community Center
  
   512 E Kansas Street
  
   Peoria, IL 61603

• Saturday, May 21, 2016
  
   10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Event
  
   10:30 AM Ribbon Cutting

The kickoff event will feature light refreshments, raffles, and other activities to help engage residents on
ways to build a stronger neighborhood. Residents who make a walking pledge will be provided with a
booklet with daily slips for participation prize raffles throughout the summer. The Unity Point Health
Methodist | Proctor Wellmobile will also be on site to conduct health screenings. Participants interested
in cholesterol or blood glucose (sugar) screenings will need to fast for 8 to 12 hours before the tests.

More information about the kickoff event and the Walk the Block initiative can be found at
www.peoriagov.org/walktheblock. Questions can be directed to Neighborhood Enhancement
Coordinators Raven Fuller at RFuller@peoriagov.org or 309-494-8636 or Terence Acquah at
TAcquah@peoriagov.org or 309-494-8940.

For more information on the City of Peoria Innovation Team, please visit
www.peoriagov.org/innovation, www.facebook.com/peoriail, and follow @CityofPeoria_IL on Twitter.