Lake in the Hills seeks input on park playground design

Lake in the Hills' parks and recreation division is seeking residents to weigh in on the selection of new playground equipment for LaBuy Park on Hilltop Drive.

The village received nine conceptual layouts to replace the existing playground and needs input from park users before making a final decision.

A focus group will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in the village board room at village hall, 600 Harvest Gate. The meeting is expected to last about 30 to 45 minutes.

Each of the nine layouts will be presented and residents will be given an opportunity to comment on each design.

"We have totally changed our selection process this year to allow our residents more input to the final design," said Megan Croy, assistant director for parks and recreation. "We started with a survey of our residents. The survey was given to the contractors to develop these proposed layouts. We are now asking for more input to allow the contractors to further refine their design to best meet the needs of our residents."

After the focus group meeting, the village-appointed parks and recreation board will select three finalists who have until month end to refine designs and submit a final bid on their layout.

That committee will review final submissions at its March 7 meeting and make a recommendation to the village board to award a contract.

Officials said obtaining replacement parts for the playground at LaBuy Park - installed in 1998 - became difficult. The new playground is expected to open this summer.