Wheeling Park District opens new Husky Park playground
The community is invited to attend the dedication of the new Husky Park playground at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 20. Refreshments will be served. The five-acre park is located at 1100 Lee St., in Wheeling.
The vibrant new play equipment is the result of the Wheeling Park District “people-driven playground process.” Beginning with a “listening session” in May 2012, Husky Park neighbors assisted park district staff planning and designing the new playground. All the play equipment and the new gazebo were installed by park district staff.
Various slides and climbing apparatus, as well as swings and individual play pieces, accommodate both 2- to 5-year-olds and 5- to 12-year-olds. The individual play areas are sheltered by sail-like shade structures. The soft safety surface is constructed in circular shapes with contrasting colors. The old basketball court was removed and replaced with a larger, full court. Bike racks, new trash/recycling receptacles and landscaping were added.
The new entrance on Norman Lane, completed in 2011, “opened up” the park and now allows the new playground to be seen from the surrounding neighborhood.
In the near future, the park district also intends to renovate the fountain that spills into the large basin on the property.
On April 16, the Wheeling Park District presented Dr. Gary Mical and Dick Larson with Illinois Association of Park Districts and Illinois Parks and Recreation Association Community Service Awards. The IAPD and IPRA Community Service Award is given in recognition and appreciation of outstanding contribution toward the advancement of parks, recreation and leisure in the community and the state of Illinois.
Larson was recognized for helping launch the Pickleball program at the Wheeling Park District. Pickleball has quickly become on the most popular programs at the Wheeling Park District and has been employed by hundreds of residents.
Mical, the former superintendent of School District 21, was instrumental in the creation of the cooperative Family Learning Program. This initiative provides educational life skills to parents of second language families in school District 21 while their children enjoy supervised recreation activities organizes by the park district. Providing these opportunities helps make our community a better place to live.
The Wheeling Park District offers a wide range of athletic, cultural arts, fitness and leisure activities for all ages. For information, visit www.wheelingparkdistrict.com or call (847) 465-3333.
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