Landmark Kids Castle to be dismantled in Vernon Hills

Nearly 200 kids and parents participated in a nostalgic play date Monday as the last hurrah for the Kids Castle at Deerpath Park in Vernon Hills.

A playground favorite since being assembled by volunteers in 1997, the multilevel wooden structures will be coming down Saturday to make way for the eventual construction of a modern replacement estimated to cost $550,000.

About 150 volunteers split evenly between a morning and afternoon shift will be provided with hard hats, safety glasses and gloves to disassemble the playground.

“It's actually what I would describe as organized chaos,” said Jeff Fougerousse, executive director of the Vernon Hills Park District. “We'll have hammers, cordless screwdrivers, (and) we've asked people to bring their own tools if they like.”

The playground will be divided into five color-coded sections, with a volunteer group assigned to each. The district also has set aside Oct. 24 to tie up loose ends, but the bulk of the removal is expected to be finished in the first session.

A large wooden dragon, a welcome sign, brick pavers and a recognition board outlining the history of the original project will be saved and incorporated into the new, 10,000-square-foot version to be installed beginning next spring. The features at the Kids Castle replacement will be fully accessible to children with disabilities.

“It's an all-in playground, a place like that is conducive to all walks of life and all abilities,” Fougerousse said.

About $200,000 of the cost is for a poured-in-place, rubberized play surface. Visit www.vhparkdistrict.org for renderings and more information.

To offset the cost, the park district is selling commemorative bricks, as well as ride sponsorship opportunities of $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000 at the new playground.