Bloomingdale Park District seeks feedback on playground improvements

A new playground at Seasons Four Park in Roselle will reflect the preferences of the children and parents who use it.

That's because Bloomingdale Park District is sponsoring an open house next week to get feedback from the community about what color schemes and activity panels should be used when the park's playground structures are replaced later this year.

The open house is scheduled for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, in the community room of the Johnston Recreation Center, 172 S. Circle Ave., in Bloomingdale.

Carrie A. Fullerton, the district's executive director, said residents are invited to attend.

"It's their park," Fullerton said, "so they should absolutely have the opportunity to share what their thoughts are as far as what color they'd like it to be and some of the activities that will be included in the project."

Activity panels give children something extra to do while they are using a piece of playground equipment. For example, a panel could have a tick-tack-toe game, an abacus or a driving wheel.

Seasons Four Park, which was acquired in 1975, is the only district park that's not in Bloomingdale. The 15.5-acre site is at 600 Old Farm Road in Roselle.

The district budgeted $90,000 to replace the playground at the park because the existing equipment is beyond its useful life, Fullerton said. The updated playground will have two sections - one for kids between 2 and 5 years old and another for kids between 5 and 12 years old. It also will have equipment that's unique to the park.

"As we change out our playground equipment, we want each playground to be different," Fullerton said.

Plans for the new play structures will be displayed during the open house. Parents are encouraged to bring their children at any time during the event. No formal presentation will be given.

Last year, the district invited residents to provide feedback about a new playground at another park and Fullerton said the response was positive.

"The kids really enjoyed being able to vote and have their opinion heard," she said.

The replacement of the Seasons Four Park's playground equipment is scheduled to begin in late summer or early fall. The work is expected to be completed in the fall.

For details, visit bloomingdaleparks.org or call the park district at (630) 529-3650.