Mark Monge swears by the saying, “The grass is greener where you water it.” It’s an old adage, and a good one, in part because its undeniable. Kind of like Mark Monge.

A native Peorian with deep roots in the community at large, Mark is a person whose vibe walks in a room minutes before he does. A real estate agent “by profession,” his real occupation can best be described as “positive force,” as well as a devoted family man and a nature enthusiast. The vast and active outdoor community in Greater Peoria is incredibly supportive of one another and involved in maintaining the area’s outdoor activities — especially the many hiking trails. 

“Somebody’s got something going on [here] every day of the week throughout the entire year,” he says with a smile. “Whether it’s hiking, biking, running, or paddling.” 

While Mark briefly considered relocation after college, venturing out to Colorado, he realized that his grass was still greener back home in Illinois. As beautiful as the Rockies were, he realized all the nature — and all the people — he loved were in Peoria. 

Since then, he’s committed himself to continuing to “water the grass” in this region, reinvesting as much as he can to the warm and gracious community that’s been his lifelong home. As it’s grown, too, Mark sees the benefits of Greater Peoria’s big-city amenities at small-town costs.