significant outdoor assets. Mercyhealth Sportscore Two alone is estimated to draw roughly two million visitors per year through tournaments and events, including large-scale soccer activity that brings families from across the country.The facility includes a major indoor soccer venue built in 2016, as well as multiple outdoor fields—some natural grass and others artificial turf—creating year-round utility and weekday community use that extends far beyond tournament weekends. Just as notable is Rock Cut State Park, located within Loves Park’s municipal boundaries. The park spans roughly 3,000 acres, and city leaders describe it as the largest state park in northern Illinois, attracting more than a million visitors annually for camping, hiking, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Loves Park’s vision is to better connect Riverside Commons to Rock Cut State Park, turning a weekend tournament or a short stay into a longer, more compelling destination experience. Leadership sees clear potential in creating a city environment where families arrive for sports and discover an outdoor recreation ecosystem that makes them want to stay, explore, and return. 72 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 02
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