Officials in Hinsdale are partnering with the family of a former resident to build a new playground at a park in the village.
Stewart Mather died in November 2020 from cancer, and now, his family, through its Mather Giving Foundation, is contributing $200,000, which will be added to $180,000 in village Capital Improvement Plan funding to pay for the $380,000 project at Robbins Park, 7th & Vine Streets.
“This thoughtfully designed space will replace the existing 2002 playground with an imaginative, treehouse-themed play environment that invites adventure, creativity, and connection to nature,” said Michelle Fisher, a member of the Hinsdale Village Board. “Children can look forward to unique, nature-inspired features, such as a vine tunnel and other playful elements designed to spark exploration and joy.”
Fisher said the playground at Robbins Park is 26 years old, making it the oldest in the village. It was scheduled for renovation and replacement in 2026, making for perfect timing to re-envision the space, she said.
“Drawing from warm family memories of time shared in a beloved treehouse, this space was created to reflect a sense of imagination and whimsical outdoor play,” Fisher said. “Thoughtful consideration and proper budgeting, helped bring this treehouse vision to life. The new park space will be amazing.”
The treehouse-themed playground will be made from Wisconsin black locust logs, featuring a rope bridge, two slides, a 50-foot zip line, and a vine tunnel, rising 8 feet high and 5 feet wide.
“The swing sets will be upgraded, and the park landscape will be revitalized with improved plantings and perennials,” Fisher said.
Work is scheduled to begin in April and be completed in June, using the same footprint as the existing playground.
This will be the first playground replacement in Hinsdale since 2023 when the play equipment at Burns Field was replaced as part of a project to update the oldest playground in the village’s park system.
“This project is a great example of what can happen when public and private partners come together to invest in our community,” village President Greg Hart said. “We are especially grateful to the Mather Family for their generosity and for honoring their son through this meaningful dedication.
“More than just a playground, this will be a space that inspires imagination, connection, and joy for Hinsdale families for years to come.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
