Big kids fighting for swings in Arlington Heights

Karen Erfort knows it's just one swing.

Still, it bothers her.

North School Park in downtown Arlington Heights will reopen with all new playground equipment later this month and the one regular swing and one baby swing will be replaced with two baby swings, which Erfort's 2-year-old daughter has outgrown.

"It will be a like a park without swings for her," she said. "You might as well take the slide out."

So she's been e-mailing and calling everyone from park district officials to the village president to try and get one swing for kids her daughter's age. On Thursday, she e-mailed park district officials suggesting a "half bucket" swing - one that's not a completely open and has support in the back.

It's an idea park district officials are looking into.

The problem is that a regular swing can't fit into the small, 2,300-square-foot park at Arlington Heights Road and Eastman Street, said Brian Huckstadt, director of parks and planning for the Arlington Heights Park District.

"I know (Erfort) really wants a belt swing but space won't allow it and we have standards we have to follow," he said.

When the old playground equipment was installed in 1991, park officials didn't have to adhere to the same standards. If a belt swing were installed at North School Park today, it would take up about 40 to 45 percent of the park, Huckstadt said.

Besides the two "tot swings," new climbers and small springy animals will be installed at the park. A new rubber surface will also replace the playground's old wood fiber surface. The $60,000 project will be finished on Sept. 29.

Village Preschool is close to North School Park and many parents swing by the park after school, said David Honore, who has a 4-year-old daughter.

"It's a disservice to people who use that park on a daily basis," he said. "Instead of cutting the swing, maybe the park district should consider a slight addition to fit it in. I know more space would cost more but it's really a shame."

Erfort agrees and appreciates the park district's efforts to work with her.

"I love the park district, I do," she said. "I know this is small in the grand scheme of things. But it's not for kids."