The City of Champaign and the Champaign Park District have partnered to provide three Picnic Parks in Downtown where anyone can grab carryout from local restaurants and have their own picnic. The idea was to help Downtown restaurants who were allowed to have outdoor dining last month, but obviously aren’t able to take as many customers as normal. Carryout has been very popular for the last two months, so this is an invitation to the community to carryout and still enjoy it Downtown.
The three Picnic Parks are located at:
- Chester Street just east of Walnut
- Park Avenue just west of Neil
- North end of the One Main Plaza in the parking lot where the Farmer’s Market is held
The Picnic Parks are open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the public to use and enjoy. They are monitored by Park District staff. The tables are spaced at least six feet apart and are equipped with amenities for keeping hands and surfaces clean. At this time, alcohol is not permitted.
The Picnic Parks will be up all summer as an amenity to the community as restaurants are gradually permitted to open with the Restore Illinois plan.