Chicago celebrates 100th playground renovation

Chicago officials are celebrating the 100th playground built or rehabbed in the city this year.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and other elected and park officials attended a ribbon-cutting on Sunday for a new playground at Sycamore Park in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood. The playground was last updated in 1991.

Emanuel's office says 150 playgrounds have been upgraded or built anew since 2013, when his administration started a playground renovation program.

The Park District has committed to rebuilding, repairing and refurbishing 325 playgrounds over five years.

Emanuel says it's important because playgrounds are "where the social fabric of a neighborhood is woven together."

Officials say the city invests about $125,000 in new equipment at each playground location.