Inclusive park projects starting soon in Mundelein, Round Lake Beach
Construction of inclusive playgrounds designed to break down barriers and allow kids with or without disabilities to play together with their peers and families is set to begin in Mundelein and already is underway in Round Lake Beach.
Both projects have been envisioned for some time and will replace existing playgrounds and include other amenities.
In Round Lake Beach, work began last week on Hero Park after the old playground at North Shore Park, 2041 N. Orchard Lane, was taken down. Work is expected to be complete this fall. The new facility is across from the Round Lake Area Park District's special recreation building.
“The project showcases our commitment to creating inclusive spaces where all children and adults can play, learn and grow together,” said Katie Gamroth, director of operations and recreation.
Hero Park will be one of the largest inclusive playgrounds in Lake County, according to the park district. Features include spongy surfacing, ramps from top to bottom, specialized seating and handholds, and slanted/graduated climbing elements.
The Mundelein Park & Recreation District is pursuing a $1.6 million “inclusive space” at Kracklauer Park, Route 45 and Seymour Avenue, which is the first park in its system.
Besides a playground, the future park site will include boccia courts, a fishing station, and pollinator garden as accessible amenities. Also, the tennis court will be renovated to include pickleball lines. Completion is scheduled for spring 2025.
The decision was made to replace the more than 20-year-old playground with an inclusive facility after local families asked if that was a consideration given the park’s central location about two blocks from the Special Recreation Association of Lake County, said Ron Salski, executive director.
“We had an outpouring of support from within the community,” Salski said last week during a groundbreaking event.
Funding was settled after a matching $600,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development was confirmed. Two other state grants totaling $550,000 were secured with assistance from state Sen. Adriane Johnson and state Rep. Dan Didech.
“What makes this project especially moving and meaningful is that it is a community initiative,” Johnson said at the event.
“We were all in from Day 1 in making this happen, because we recognized right away how important this project was” for the area, Didech added.
According to the district, the space is designed to break down physical and social barriers so children of different abilities, ages and communities can play together.
It also is designed to be intergenerational, according to the park district. It will be accessible to adults in the community, including people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and families.