Peoria Zoo names entrance kiosk after late local leader Henry ‘Chappie’ Chapman

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Honoring a local leader, who was most known for his perserverance.

Henry Chapman, also known as “Chappie” Chapman, was a former WMBD employee, and an influential part of Peoria Zoo’s construction of their Africa exhibit, was honored today as the Peoria Zoo named their new navigation kiosk after him.

Located at the front of the park, the kiosk includes a map of the park and upcoming events.

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The Peoria Park District says the construction of the kiosk is all for the remembrance of Chappie who died in 2022.

“It’s a great way for his family to be able to celebrate him, for his friends, to be able to be reminded of him,” said Emily Cahill, the executive director of the Peoria Park District. “And it helps us just on a daily basis because it gives us the opportunity to do away with paper maps. It allows us to be more environmentally friendly, all things that Chappy would be really happy to see.”

Cahill also says the kiosk gives park goers the chance to take a second to breathe and plan out their day.

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