Zearing Park
Zearing Park is a hub of action from April to October. Baseball and soccer abound at the 72-acre site with six soccer/football fields of various sizes and three baseball fields with lights and scoreboards. There are Shelters that can be rented for your family picnic or birthday party. There is a 1.3 mile walking/recreation path, a three acres pond to fish & enjoy as well as a playground and restrooms. Take a trip to Zearing Park to spend time with family or just going outside to enjoy nature.
Every summer, notable events like the Z Tour Bike Ride and Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration are held at Zearing Park.
Park Features
Baseball Fields
Fishing
BBQ Areas
Playground
Horseshoes
Picnic Areas
Shelters
Restrooms
Volleyball Courts
Soccer Fields
Directions
Park Photos
Park History
In the summer of 1969, Mrs. Eunice Zearing made a gift of an undivided half interest in the Zearing Park, being a tract of approximately 32 acres lying in the Southeast corner of the City of Princeton. The Park District purchased the other half interest in this tract of real estate from Roscoe T. Johnson. A Master Plan and layout for the area was adopted by the Park District Board of Directors providing for picnic areas, shelters, playground areas, restrooms, ball fields and other facilities
On April 30, 1976, the Park was formally opened and dedicated by a flag raising ceremony, through the assistance of the Girl Scouts, Invocation by Rev. Warren Mueller, and remarks by Mr. Hultine, Park Board President, Mayor Roland H. Eckdahl and Mr. Webster Wiley, Past President of the Illinois Association of Park Districts. This ceremony was held on Arbor Day and there were 13 trees planted.
The Princeton Park District purchased 40 acres connected to Zearing Park on September 11, 2006. The land was identified by a group of citizens (Area 56 Committee) who envisioned an eight field soccer complex with a pond, pathways, concession/bathroom building, and parking areas. Bonucci Farms made a charitable donation for a portion of the appraised value and over half of the purchase price was reimbursed to the Park District from the Illinois Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant program.
The Park District had applied and received a development grant in 2007 through the same Illinois grant program for the outdoor area. The project included the construction of the soccer fields, pathways, pond, concession/bathrooms, and parking areas. Notification of a successful grant application was received in January 2008 and construction began the summer of 2009.
Zearing Park is currently a 72-acre park on the southeast corner of Princeton. You will find three ball fields, soccer fields, shelters, picnic and barbecue areas, sand volleyball, horseshoe pits, playground, walking path, pond, and concession stand.