Laura Leake Park

Located on Centralia's north side, Laura Leake Park offers a playground, basketball court, baseball and softball fields, open green space, picnic areas, restrooms, and a large pavilion perfect for community events, family reunions, and celebrations.

More than just a park, Laura Leake Park serves as an important community landmark. Named in honor of Laura Leake, a respected local figure whose legacy continues to impact Centralia.

Throughout the year, the park hosts neighborhood gatherings and community events, including Centralia's annual Juneteenth celebration, bringing residents and visitors together to celebrate culture, history, and community spirit.

One of the most notable features of this park is the Harlem Globetrotters of Centralia mural. The mural was completed in June 2026 and features 5 Harlem Globetrotters that came from Centralia, IL.

  • Bobby Joe Mason totaled 2,025 points during his basketball career at Centralia High School and spent the years 1962-76 with the Harlem Globetrotters.

  • Ken “Preacher” McBride competed in football, track, and basketball at Centralia High School. After playing at Maryland State, he played one season with the NBA Milwaukee Hawks and later played from 1955 to 1957 with the Harlem Globetrotters.

  • Fred Pearson was a member of the Centralia basketball team in the 1940s. After high school, he played for the Harlem Globetrotters and also spent some time playing professional baseball.

  • Jackie White played basketball for Centralia High School and went on to attend historic Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. After college, White played for the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters from 1949 to 1952.

  • John Scott was inducted into the Illinois State Hall of Fame in 1977. At only 6’1”, he was the starting center for four consecutive Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship teams for Illinois State from 1939 to 1942. He went on to play for the Harlem Globetrotters for two years 1947-1948.

Artist Jamie Allen of Studio Bee was commissioned by the City of Centralia, to complete the project with funding from Monken Automotive, Monken Family, Land of Lincoln Credit Union, Centralia Juneteenth, Centralia BPW, and the Centralia Chamber’s Centralia Balloon Fest Image Fund.

Other local artists involved in completing this project were Alex Hyer, Emily Haake, and Brandon Smith.

Artists, from left to right: Alex Hyer, Jamie Allen, Brandon Smith, Emily Haake