After some construction delays, the Park District of Forest Park will finally open the long-awaited playground at 7501 Harrison St. A ribbon-cutting will take place Oct. 5, said Parks Director Larry Piekarz.
Local children picked the playground equipment for the new park during several open houses held by the park district in March. Kids chose a standing seesaw, whirlwind seat and a spinning “merry go-all,” along with separate big-kid and little-kid climbing equipment. The new swing-set will have two regular-size bucket swings, as well as two toddler and two accessible swings.
Torn down was the old gazebo, which will be replaced with two new gazebos, one 32 square feet with a picnic area and one 16 square feet.
The playground’s initial proposed August opening date was sidetracked after a drainage pipe needed to be rerouted in July. The change required a signoff from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and a rebidding of part of a construction contract, the board was told.
But now the playground is on track to open while there’s still good weather to play outside, Piekarz said.
“We are putting in the final touches; we’re planting a new tree and some other things,” he said.
