The park is the latest project spearheaded by the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club. Its creation coincided with the club’s centennial year.

In September 2021, Alton aldermen voted to provide the site for the park after The Piasa Foundation President Bill Moyer and past Rotary President Andy Bowen detailed plans for the new park. Ground was broken a month later, with work delayed by weather.

The park features hillside seating, shade trees and greenery surrounding a circular plaza bearing a six-foot custom inlay medallion of the Rotary symbol. Amphitheater-style limestone seating around the plaza will accommodate up to about 200 people for weddings, picnics, concerts, classroom instruction, meetings and other events.

Rotary Member Ron Mayhew said the park’s design had several changes since the initial groundbreaking, including the construction of a walkway between the park and the First Unitarian Church.

“It’s going to be used for small music venues, weddings, and Marquette can use this for outdoor classrooms,” Mayhew said. “It’s amazing what you can do with this space.”

Securing the space for events will be led by Todd Adamitis, COO of Simmons Hanly Conroy Law, LLC in Alton. Adamitis also is one of the three owners of Giant City Properties which donated about $500,000 to help pay for the park’s construction.

“We love the Rotary Club, and they’ve done some phenomenal things throughout Alton,” Adamitis said. “This is really to honor the current and previous Rotarians in the Alton and Godfrey area.”

There is no charge to use the park for events. People wishing to use the space may call Adamitis’ office at 618-259-2222.  

Rotary President Antione Williams said collaborating with the law firm was a great idea.

“This park gives the community a chance to look at Rotary and see us as more than putting up a Christmas tree every year,” Williams said.

AltonWorks CEO John Simmons said he believes that the park will bring people…