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Health & Fitness

Renovations Begin at Jaycee Park

Renovations to Jaycee Park, a Des Plaines Park District neighborhood park at the corner of Wicke Avenue and Cora Street, began on August 6 with the removal of the existing playground. Volunteers from the not-for-profit, faith-based organization Kids Around the World dismantled the swing set, playground climbing area and slides, and removed the two sand scoops. Kids Around the World refurbishes used playground equipment and reinstalls it in over thirty countries around the world including Ghana, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Bosnia, Costa Rica, and Zambia. Since 1994, they have installed over 300 playgrounds. The is the second time the Des Plaines Park District has partnered with the Rockford based agency. “We worked with KATW when we renovated Apache Park in 2012. That playground has been refurbished and is now in the KATW catalog awaiting installation,” said John Hecker, Executive Director. Larry Seagren, a volunteer with KATW said, “We are very excited to get this playground. Even though the equipment is 15 years old, it’s in good shape. With a little cleanup and a fresh coat of paint, it will make the children in a war-torn, economically depressed, or disaster ravaged area of a country overseas very happy.”

Demolition for the rest of the park is set for August 10. Excavation and concrete work will begin the following week, weather permitting. If the schedule holds, installation of the new playground will begin the week of August 21. Jaycee Park will have a new Continuous Play Playground with five slides: a double wave slide, a double swoosh fast slide, and a tall sidewinder twisting slide. The play equipment has a variety of pieces designed for climbing, including a Sky Rail, a Fish Net, a Lollipop, a Clatter Bridge, and an Orbiter Spinner. This combination provides challenges for a range of ages and helps kids build their strength while improving balance and coordination. Another area of the park will have four swings: one bucket, two belt, and one American Disabilities Act (ADA) swing, all set on a wood fiber surface that is clean, cushioned, and absorbs impact. All of the new safe and durable structures are built to stand up to sun, wind, snow, and rain, with minimal maintenance. The earth-tone color scheme—brown, tan, and green—blends naturally into the neighborhood, and was selected because the park is open on two sides. “We are very excited about the inclusion of The Pointe, a large man-made rock formation that is accessible by climbing up a netted ladder,” said Paul Cathey, Superintendent of Parks & Planning, adding “This is the first of its kind installed in the District, and is designed to encourage kids to test their strength, balance, and hand-eye coordination”.

“Jaycee Park is almost half an acre,” said Cathey, “and we wanted a compact play structure that had enough features to provide neighborhood children with an exhilarating aerobic workout, as well as encourage a creative, social experience. The variety included in this structure will allow children to meet new fitness challenges as they grow up. It’s just a great playground!”

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