Some children may not enjoy going to school, but at least for one day, many of them enjoyed the refurbished playground outside West School.
On Sept. 5, roughly 200 adults and children gathered next to West School to celebrate its new playground equipment, which includes slides and climbing bars, and a new discovery area over a soft surface.
“We hope this playground will serve as a model of what is truly possible when we work together and share resources to the benefit of our community,” District 35 School Board President Gary Ruben said.
The refurbished playground – which has nearly doubled in size to 5,600 square feet – was a collaborative venture between District 35 and the Glencoe Park District. Each government agency contributed approximately $250,000 for the upgrades, according to the Park District, which served as the fiscal agent for the project. The school district paid another $165,000 – which included a $15,000 contribution from the Glencoe PTO – for touches including new asphalt and fencing in the playground area that extends into West Park.
“Happily, both Glencoe’s park and school district recognize the critical importance of play,” Park District Vice President Lisa Brooks said.
The reviews landed in the “rave” category from several residents, many of whom watched as their children took advantage of the fresh equipment.
Santi McMartin, who moved to Glencoe about a year ago, whirled her son, Thomas, 4, around on a moving circle ride as he devoured an ice cream sandwich.
“It’s lovely,” McMartin said of the park. “We’ve never been to this school, so that is why we wanted to come.”
Over at the monkey bars, Matt Colman played with his daughter, 4-year-old Naomi.
“It’s really nice to have this in the community and to see people here playing,” Colman said.
Mark Loewenstein, who lives across the street from the park, was also impressed. “It’s awesome,” he said. “I watched it being built from demolition until today, and the transformation has been stunning.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
