PEORIA, Ill. — Wildlife Prairie Park plans to build 14 cabins along its bison-and-elk enclosure as part of a $2.4 million capital campaign, the Forest Park Foundation announced, promising guests a unique up-close wildlife experience, according to an Associated Press report.
The foundation, which operates the Peoria-area attraction, launched the campaign to strengthen the park’s long-term sustainability and upgrade its offerings. Foundation president Mark Spenny said the goal is to elevate accommodations and shift toward a more durable business structure. The overall target is $2.4 million, and the foundation has already advanced $250,000 for engineering and planning, the AP story noted.
The new cabins will be positioned beside the pasture so fencing can allow bison and elk to stroll within view—and within a couple dozen feet—of each back deck, creating a safari-style atmosphere that is still uncommon in the Midwest.
Operators who build animal-view lodging typically rely on a double-barrier layout, brief every guest on no-feeding rules and quiet-hour expectations, elevate decks just above the animals’ eyeline, and time routine maintenance for hours when the herd is grazing elsewhere—measures that keep both wildlife and visitors safe without dulling the close-up thrill.
Wildlife Prairie Park’s existing mix of cabins and refurbished railroad cabooses already draws about 1,400 overnight stays a year. Across outdoor-hospitality properties, premium wildlife-view units frequently achieve full capital recovery in three to five years when operators start with conservative 45–50 percent first-season occupancy, charge rates about 20–30 percent higher than standard cabins, lean on dynamic pricing software and bundle high-margin experiences such as sunrise wildlife tours or deck-side chef dinners.
At least two of the new cabins are expected to open next year, with the remaining 12 coming online as fundraising milestones are met.
To accelerate construction, the foundation has offered up to $1 million in two-for-one matching grants that will double qualifying community contributions.
The $250,000 already committed covered site surveys, architectural renderings and utility planning, clearing the way for permits once additional dollars arrive.
Beyond the cabins, the campaign will freshen the park’s event center and renovate several buildings dating to the park’s 1970s origins, according to Executive Director Doug Dillow.
Spenny has framed the effort as a move to create higher-quality stays that command stronger rates, reduce maintenance backlogs and stabilize yearly budgets without relying solely on ticket admissions or seasonal donations.
Many public and private parks have begun adding experience-centered lodging—from tree houses to tented suites—to boost occupancy and length of stay.
How quickly Wildlife Prairie Park completes all 14 cabins will hinge on the pace of donations, but officials say the blueprint is in place and the herd is ready to welcome its new neighbors.