PEORIA MAGAZINE May 2023

S P O T L I G H T

‘JUST GET UP AND GO OUTSIDE’ Looking for a breath of fresh air? Peoria Outdoor Adventure website aims to help you find it

BY AMY TALCOTT PHOTOS BY MARK MONGE

M ark Monge is a Peorian by birth, Realtor by trade and self-professed outdoor enthusiast by passion. It’s for these reasons he created Peoria Outdoor Adventure (POA), a website and labor of love that showcases the area’s outdoor activities and opportunities. POA (peoriaoutdooradventure.com) brings together multiple resources and links to a seemingly endless array of options for hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, camping and more. The site also features local restaurants, bars and coffee shops that offer refreshments and respite along the way. “The impetus of the site was for those who are new to the area or looking to relocate,” he said, “but I discovered that people who live here are using it as their go-to resource for outdoor ideas and plans because it offers so much information – or links to the information – all in one place.”

Heavy on imagery, the site features vibrant photos and video taken by Monge on his many adventures. An avid outdoorsman, he posts an aptly named “Adventure Log” recounting his experiences, which include everything from a snowy fat bike race along the Mississippi River to a packrafting trip, which incorporates both rafting and cycling. While some of Monge’s adventures may seem on the extreme side, he emphasized that the site has something for everyone. “Whether you’re looking for a hiking trail for you and your dog, a bike path for a family outing or an itinerary of outdoor activities while you’re hosting friends from out of town, you’ll find it at Peoria Outdoor Adventure.” ALL WALKS OF LIFE The POA site highlights Peoria’s impressive trail system, which within the Peoria Park District (PPD) alone

spans more than 9,000 acres. The most well-known and easily accessible stretch is the Rock Island Trail, extending 26 miles from Alta north to Toulon. Follow the trail south from Alta and it’s called the Rock Island Greenway, which runs 13 miles to Peoria’s RiverFront. “It’s so convenient because you can access it from so many locations,” said Nancy Flagg, a runner who frequents the trail. “It’s a safe outdoor space for me to walk, run or bike by myself or with friends several times a week. I think it’s rare for a community the size of Peoria to have such a valuable and well maintained resource.” POA’s site links directly to the PPD’s trails page, which categorizes each path by length and difficulty, complete with maps. One of the most popular is the Illinois River Bluff Trail (IRBT), the longest continuous hiking trail in the area. It connects the PPD properties of Camp Wokanda, Robinson Park, Green Valley Camp and Detweiller Park.

62 MAY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE