Inclusive-Focused Playground Coming to Newton Park
Posted on: October 8, 2021
During the October 5th Park Board meeting, board members approved bids for the redevelopment of the Newton Park playground. The plan includes replacing the existing playground with equipment with an inclusive emphasis, providing shaded seating, and new surfacing.
A highlight of the renovated playground area will be a small sensory garden filled with plants that can be touched and felt as well as smelled.
“This will be our first inclusive-focused playground, allowing children of all abilities to play side-by-side in parallel,” said Nathan Troia, Parks Project Manager. “There will be a variety of experiences, from active and passive play to musical instruments, a sensory garden, and a dedicated structure for young children ages 2-5.”
Project details also include realigning paths near the playground to improve access and connectivity, a new bike rack, a shaded seating area, and benches.
The redevelopment plan was formed after gathering feedback from the community on proposed park improvements and is funded in part by a $400,000 matching State of Illinois OSLAD grant (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development) awarded to the Glen Ellyn Park District in 2021.
Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-October and finish in spring 2022.
On October 13, the old playground structures will be removed by Kids Around the World, a non-profit agency that repurposes playgrounds and rebuilds them in developing countries. Glen Ellyn Park District has worked with them previously to repurpose playground equipment from several parks, including Lake Ellyn, President’s, and Danby Parks.
Additional improvements to Newton Park will also take place in 2022, when the Newton Park skate park will undergo renovation. Public input on the skate park design will likely be held next spring.
For more information, please contact Nathan Troia at [email protected].
