Downers Grove Park District to celebrate the completion of Constitution Park

Downers Grove Park District will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of renovations at Constitution Park from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7.

The community is invited to attend the event, which will include a short program, giveaways, and a children’s activity. Special guests will include state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton and representatives from the Downers Grove Public Library, South East Association for Special Parks And Recreation, and EQuality Downers Grove.

Constitution Park, located adjacent to the Lincoln Center at 935 Maple Ave., now boasts the district’s first inclusive playground plus a new pavilion, pathway, StoryWalk, and rain garden.

Paul Fyle, director of planning and construction, says a major goal of the renovation project at Constitution Park was to provide a fully accessible playground intended for children of all abilities.

“The uniquely designed playground featuring wheelchair-accessible ramps, a synthetic turf playground surface, sensory experiences and more enhances inclusive play at Constitution Park,” Fyle said.

Highlights of the interactive equipment at Constitution Park playground include an inclusive merry-go-round, music and game panels, a sensory cove climber, rock walls, tubes, and various slides. A communication panel is available as a visual tool to help visitors identify specific areas or activities they wish to engage in, or to express their feelings to others, facilitating interaction on the playground.

In partnership with the Downers Grove Public Library and EQuality Downers Grove, the new StoryWalk along the pathway provides an innovative and delightful way for children (and adults) to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time.

Laminated pages from a children’s picture book are installed along an outdoor path, accompanied by interactive prompts, creating an engaging experience for young children and their accompanying adults. A new story will be introduced each season.

Downers Grove Park District received three separate grants to fund park and playground improvements at the 5.2-acre site. With the support of state Sen. Glowiak Hilton, the park district received a $175,000 grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Development to offset costs associated with the purchase and installation of playground equipment and safety surfacing.

The district also received a $425,000 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which provides funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and open space.

Constitution Park was also awarded a GameTime grant as part of the Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Statewide Healthy Play & Recreation Initiative. The park district received matching funds from GameTime play equipment manufacturer towards the purchase of new equipment that follows inclusive design principles. As part of this initiative, the playground is now a National Demonstration Site for Inclusive Play, which allows park users to provide ongoing feedback related to the design and functionality of the playground. National Demonstration Sites exemplify evidence-based best practices in design and implementation, support health-related initiatives, and provide meaningful ways for community stakeholders to gather data about the sites’ impact on the community.

For more information about Constitution Park, please visit dgparks.org/news/constitution-park-renovation.