Playgrounds undergoing renovations in Hoffman Estates

The Hoffman Estates Park District has identified three playgrounds that will soon undergo renovations.

Executive Director Dean Bostrom said the district is close to finalizing bids for the installation of more than $117,000 worth of equipment at Lincoln Park, 1993 Dogwood Drive; High Point Park, 1704 Glenlake Road; and Brittany Park, 1245 W. New Britton Drive.

Bostrom said the existing playgrounds at those locations are the oldest in the district. The one at Brittany opened in 1995 and the ones at Lincoln and High Point opened in 1996, he said, adding that the district tries to replace equipment at its more than 40 playgrounds once every 10 to 15 years.

The playgrounds are the only ones that still have wood equipment, which was a driving factor behind getting them replaced, Bostrom said.

“These are getting to the point where the underground support systems are starting to decompose,” he said, adding that even if the board didn’t want to put in new playgrounds, the existing equipment would still have to be removed due to safety issues.

The High Point playground will cost the most — considering it is part of a larger, community park — at about $56,000. Equipment at Brittany will cost about $32,700 and Lincoln, where new equipment for kids ages two to five has already been installed, will cost about $29,000.

All the new playgrounds will be handicap accessible. Updated equipment includes slides, spinners and ladders, among other pieces. Fences will also be installed at Lincoln and Brittany parks because they are smaller, neighborhood parks in residential areas and in proximity to a road.

It is estimated that the cost of the fences and installing the equipment will amount to about $262,300 for all three parks. Work should be complete at all of the playgrounds by early summer.

Bostrom said renovations to the three playgrounds were included in the district’s five-year comprehensive plan, which is reviewed by the board of commissioners every year to determine that they are prioritizing the right projects.