Robert and John Gregg Allerton left Allerton to the University with three guidelines for use: education, research, and as a public park. Allerton’s future will continue to include these three aspects in different and evolving capacities.
As we continue to improve access and engagement as a public park, we will provide visitors ample opportunities for education, both formally and informally. In the past, most research has focused solely on the natural areas, but as we move forward we will consider the opportunities Allerton provides for a more holistic approach studying an individual’s interaction with and benefits from a place such as this.
We will continue to improve facilities, ensuring they remain both relevant and historically significant, while continuing to grow public outreach—using those advancements to not only fulfill Robert and John’s wishes but also to preserve this rare place for centuries to come.
Master Plan
In January 2015, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved the Allerton Park Master Plan. The planning process occurred over one year and included three public meetings, numerous stakeholder meetings, and University input. All of the findings and recommendations were organized and presented in a final 125-page document, and will be further researched and implemented over the next 20-30 years. The Plan inspires a vision for conservation, appreciation, engagement, and development of Allerton’s physical property.
2030 Strategic Plan Goals: Expand Our Impact | Cultivate Experiential Learning | Promote + Protect the Natural World | Capitalize on Current Facilities
For more information or questions about future plans contact us at allertoninfo@illinois.edu.
Artisan Village
This core area of the Park across from the Visitor Center is being transformed to serve as the creative campus for The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, increasing opportunities for connection, creativity, and learning.
The Robert Allerton-original “lean-to” shed will be renovated to serve as the Village Hall with a fiber arts classroom, a fine arts classroom, and restrooms.
A new pavilion will serve as covered outdoor classroom and communal gathering space, while a former maintenance shop will be repurposed to serve as a workshop, furthering expanding what can be taught and created here.
Investment in multipurpose programming space at Illinois’ first folk school will create a vibrant hub of activity in our unique rural setting, with naming opportunities to recognize donors’ commitment to art, culture, and community.
The Wandering Woods
The first phase of the Wandering Woods (the area between the Main Parking Lot and Fu Dog Garden) opened in the Fall of 2024, and includes Allerton’s first fully accessible woodland trail. Whether you’re pushing a stroller, walking a circuit, or adventuring in a chair—the accessible path is a useful and safe way to experience nature. Thanks to the support of hundreds of Friends of Allerton, this project has made Allerton more accessible to all, helping to make a significant difference in the health and well-being of future visitors.
The accessible path is the first phase of a natural play area designed by W. Gary Smith and the Hitchcock Design Group, with support from DiAnne and Terry Hatch. As funding is acquired over the next several years, the area will continue to transform into a multi-generational, accessible feature to Allerton’s existing upland oak-history forest.
Additional phases will feature immersive elements of a natural play area, many drawing on inspiration from the Park itself. The Teahouse Treehouse (pictured, left), a Fountain Creek, The Stumpery, and many other unique spaces will offer meaningful encounters between people and the natural world. This space will be an ideal retreat in the woods, allowing for birdwatching, nature observation, and fun for both adults and kids.
Thanks to the Friends of Allerton who have donated to bring this project to life! Additional support is needed to endow/name the trail, and complete future phases. Lend your support! For more information on giving, contact us at allertoninfo@illinois.edu.
