Lake in the Hills playground reopens with new equipment

Lake in the Hills' Stoneybrook Park playground has reopened after renovations with new equipment for children of varying ages.

"It's a big hit. It's very colorful. It's a great improvement over what was there," said Laura Barron, village director of parks and recreation. "The playground features were specifically selected by residents through an electronic survey. It was very important to village officials and staff that the new playground truly fit the wants and needs of the families that will visit the park."

Community members are invited to a dedication ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the corner of Anderson Drive and David Street with village and parks and recreation board members and staff.

New features include a play area for younger children of prekindergarten age with climbing structures, infant swings, slides, and exploratory features for developing fine motor skills. The playground also has swings, climbing bars, slides and other play structures for kids 2 to 12, and meets Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility and safety guidelines.

The equipment was purchased through a cooperative purchasing grant program, which covered 40 percent of the total cost of $55,400. Installation was done in-house by public works staff also saving money, Barron said.

"We're very proud that we could do this at a great cost savings and provide the community a variety of equipment for many ages," she said.

Renovations included installation of an underground drainage system, a walkway path from the existing shelter to the playground, a new concrete border, impact attenuating surface and restoration of the turf area around the park.

The old play equipment has been donated to the nonprofit Kids Around the World, whose volunteers helped dismantle and remove it, and will restore then reinstall the equipment in a disadvantaged community, Barron said.

"Volunteers will refurbish and rebuild in a needy location ... an area where children don't have access to playgrounds," Barron said. "It doesn't go in a landfill."