Dodds Park is located in northwestern Champaign, Illinois near Parkland College. This 110-acre (45 ha) park (roughly one fifth of the total Park District holdings) is noted for the "Tribute to Olympic Athletes Monument" on its grounds. The park was purchased in 1969 for the sum of $298,495.

Dodds Park
Dodds Park Softball Complex
Map
LocationChampaign, Illinois
Coordinates40°07′53″N 88°16′58″W / 40.13139°N 88.28278°W / 40.13139; -88.28278[1]
Area110 acres (45 ha)
Elevation748 feet (228 m)
Created1969 (1969)
Operated byChampaign Park District
StatusOpen all year
Public transit accessBus transport MTD

Facilities

edit

The park has 7 lighted baseball fields and 12 soccer fields on its grounds.[2] Additionally, it features a small playground and picnic tables.

Champaign County Workers' Memorial

edit

The memorial was dedicated on Labor Day September 2, 2002, and serves as a memorial to those workers who had lost their lives while working on the job. The memorial consists of two tablets which bear the names of those who have died working in Champaign County.[3]

Tribute to Olympic athletes

edit

The "Tribute to Olympic Athletes" was created to honor those residents of Champaign County who have competed in the Olympics. To date 41 athletes are commemorated on the monument since the tribute's dedication on July 4, 1991.[4] The monument consists of several rising plateaus forming a walkway leading to a large granite gateway. Beyond the gateway a pedestal overlooking the playing fields in Dodds Park is inscribed with the names of those who have represented Champaign County in the Olympics.

Notable Olympic athletes

edit
 
Tribute to Olympic Athletes, Dodds Park, Champaign, Illinois

References

edit
  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Dodds Park
  2. ^ "Dodds Park". ExploreCU. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  3. ^ "LABORER'S MEMORIAL". Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  4. ^ "Olympic Tribute Dedication Event". Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2013.