In our changing world, the importance of a neighborhood playground, for family fun and community gathering, is stronger than ever before.
There are 17 parks in Wilmette, giving area families varied access to outdoor play.
On Monday evening, area residents gathered in Maple Park, at 398 Maple Avenue, in celebration of the park’s new playground installation.
“Area residents expressed a desire for a playground with completely new and unique play equipment,” Kristi Solberg, superintendent of parks and planning for the Wilmette Park District said.
According to Solberg, the new playground design was the result of community meetings and an online survey, resulting in a playground especially tailored to community needs.
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“Updating the playground at Maple Park was an important step for us, we used it as an opportunity to increase accessibility of the play equipment, and we did this in a joint effort with the community,” Solberg said.
The renovation, showcases brand new play features including a zip line, auditory play feature, tube slide, a variety of climbing elements, and much more.
The renovation, showcases brand new play features like; a zip line, an auditory play feature, a tube slide, a variety of climbing elements, and much more.
“We are all excited for this long-awaited transformation, and to finally have a park that includes activities for older kids too as well as those for younger children, it’s really an improvement,” Lindsay Lee of Wilmette said.
Ashley Harrington says Maple Park is within walking distance of her home and that her kids will use the park every day.
“To have this new, modern facility is really special for us and for other area families,” Harrington said.
Maple Park and its playground was 25-years old when it received the green light for new renovation with Solberg saying that the playground was old and had reached its useful life.
“In April and May 2021, we began researching what the community wanted for Maple Park playground, a process that utilized public input meetings and surveys, and presented various initial concepts and ideas for the playground,” Solberg said.
Public feedback was gathered and helped to narrow options for playground design, Solberg says, and once an option was selected, the equipment was ordered.
Construction started in March of 2022 and the playground was completed on Friday, Aug. 5.
“The project was funded as part of the Wilmette Park District’s annual capital plan and cost $300,000,” Solberg said.
Wilmette Park District Board President Mike Murdock says Maple Park is his favorite park in Wilmette and that he and his family frequented the park every week for many years.
“Since the park renovation, many new families with very young kids have moved into the area — so we may incorporate additional playground features here to meet the needs of those families as well,” Murdock said.
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.