Happy ending for swing story
Karen Erfort got her swing.
I wrote about Karen's quest for a "big kid swing" last week. She was concerned about North School Park in downtown Arlington Heights because the park was supposed to reopen with all new playground equipment later this month. The plan included replacing one regular swing and one baby swing with two baby swings, which Erfort's daughter had outgrown. Karen was also upset that the park district didn't notify her before tearing up the park.
Karen e-mailed and called everyone from park district officials to the village president to try and get one swing for kids her daughter's age.
Nothing worked.
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. Child safety rules have changed since the old equipment was installed back in 1991, he said.
On Thursday, she e-mailed park district officials suggesting a "half bucket" swing - one that's not completely open and has support in the back.
And on Friday, she got it.
"Since your story ran, I did receive a letter from Brian (Huckstadt) saying the half bucket swing met the standards and so they placed an order for one today," Karen e-mailed me last week.
Karen is also meeting with the park district officials in the next week or so to talk about the park.
Good for her.
Quite a few people blasted Karen on the Daily Herald's Web site, saying she was making a huge deal about one lousy swing.
"Go to another park," wrote one person. "The park district can't keep conforming to this lady's family every time they outgrow a pice of equipment. Is this news? Or just a Mom's gripe?"
I also received some e-mails from people questioning my news judgment for reporting on this issue.
The bottom line is Karen did make a difference - in one day she was able to figure out a way to get her swing.
Everyone complains about high property taxes and government overspending, but I hardly ever see people stroll into village hall with a plan to cut costs under one arm. They have gripes, but no concrete solutions.
Karen didn't give up when park district officials gave her solid reasons why a bigger swing wouldn't work. She took it upon herself to figure out a solution. And to the park district's credit, they listened.
The new North School Park will reopen on Sept. 29.
Enjoy the swings.
• Sheila Ahern covers Arlington Heights. She can be reached at (847) 427-4563 or via email at sahern@dailyherald.com