From our BEST Culture of the decade feature:
We have not yet compiled a list of the best parks in Champaign-Urbana, but when we do, Hessel Park will be a top contender. This park has a little bit of everything, appealing to a wide swath of the community: mature trees, a walking path, tennis and volleyball courts, plenty of pavilions for gatherings, a solid playground game, and of course the splash pad. Plus Jarling’s is across the street. When my kids were tiny, we spent an awful lot of spring and summer late mornings at Hessel. It was wonderful then, and it’s even better now, after an overhaul that began in 2016. It was the first time in 20 years any improvements had been made, and wow did it make a difference. The original splash pad was pretty darn sad, a fact that came into stark view when I would visit family in Bloomington-Normal and see the amazing splash pad offerings there. The playground was always fine enough, but now it’s brighter, more interesting, and more accessible. And let’s not underestimate the importance of newly refurbished bathrooms. (Julie McClure)
Photo from Champaign Park District
