Old Homer Park added to African American Heritage Trail

HOMER, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Forest Preserve is highlighting one of its historic parks, how part of a heritage trail honoring the county’s African American history.

Homer was one of the first towns in Central Illinois to have an established Black community. Now, the forest known as Old Homer Park is part of the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail.

The trail gives insight about African Americans who once gathered at there. Many different events happeend at the park throughout the 1900s, inclduing boat rides, church events and dinners.

The Forest Preserve and a list of others wanted to continue educating people about the park’s more than 100 years of history.

“We’re only highlighting a small part here, but it was a much larger area that includes the area across Route 49,” said Ray Cunningham, President of the Homer Historical Society. “There was a dam, a large…