There is a tower to climb, and there are six swings.
There is a structure with multiple tiers and with four slides, ranging from a short, safe, toddler slide to a twisting slide that spirals downward from the tower.
They all are part of the new look for the playground at Gene Leonard Park in Oak Forest, which got a makeover this summer thanks to a partnership between the Oak Forest Park District and Forest Ridge School District 142.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday at the park, at 149th Street and Laramie Avenue.
“The original plot of land was reshaped and regraded,” said Susan Arvesen, a spokeswoman for District 142. “A great deal of additional landscaping was done by the Park District to clear bushes and overgrowth and so the maximum amount of space could be utilized for the playground. The old playground was very old, having been constructed with metal materials.”
Parents agreed Thursday the upgrade was necessary.
“It’s wonderful,” said Michelle Smolinski, of Oak Forest. “It keeps the kids busy, and there is so much for them to do. It is a lot better than the old park.”
Sharing Smolinski’s view was Melissa Henery, of Oak Forest, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony with her daughter Ava, 4.
“This is such an improvement from the old park,” Henery said. “It’s much larger, and it’s close to home, so it’s also convenient.”
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The new playground is designed for children from 2 to 12 years old. The other state-of-the-art equipment includes interactive wheels and movement activities for younger children, a heavy-duty “web” rope-climbing structure, three ways to climb the tower — via low-set stairs, climbing bars or a web ladder — tubes to climb over and through, and more.
The equipment is designed for safety, rust prevention and cool-to-the-touch play surfaces, officials said. Mulch and heavy-duty rubber edging and a ramp for wheelchairs also were included with safety in mind, and benches surround the play area.
“It is a unique park that is used by hundreds of students on a daily basis during recess at Kerkstra Elementary and yet is a public community park used year-round,” Arvesen said. “With the additional play amenities and safety features, it makes this a wonderful place for the Oak Forest community to visit and bring their children.”
The park is named after late Oak Forest resident Gene Leonard, who was involved with the Bremen Township Youth Commission, youth baseball and more.
His four children were at the ribbon-cutting.
“My dad is smiling down from heaven right now,” Maggie Leonard-Burkhart said. “He absolutely loved children.”
Discussions about updating the playground, previously consisting of four swings and two slides, began in March between District 142 Superintendent Paul McDermott and Cindy Grannan, director of parks and recreation. They already were meeting to discuss a Park District summer camp’s use of a school building.
Kerkstra students previously had written to city officials, petitioning for a new playground, particularly Barb Bremer’s second-grade class, with each student authoring a handwritten letter to Oak Forest Mayor Hank Kuspa.
“This really shows the kids their actions turned into something great,” Bremer said.
Construction began in June, and the playground was ready by the first day of school Aug. 24.
“This is an example of how entities should work together for the communities they serve,” McDermott said. “I am honored to have been a part of the process of the creation of this new playground, as it will be a lasting legacy to the school district and the Oak Forest community.”
Kelly White is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.