With the playground equipment at the Cook County Community Center (CCCC) old and wearing out from use, it’s time to replace much of it.
Cook County Community Center Director Diane Booth informed commissioners through email that the average life for playground equipment is 12-17 years and much of the equipment at the CCCC is 22 years old.
The cost to replace the play areas used by 5- to 12-year-olds and add a smaller, fenced in area for six months to 5-year-olds (as well as a natural area) is estimated at $168,070. This includes two portable basketball hoops for use on the hockey rink during the summer, said Booth.
To pay for improvements Booth requested $80,000 from short-term Cook County bonds and will apply for $36,000 from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation along with an application for a $49,000 DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant.
Commissioners passed a motion so the county can act as a legal sponsor for the DNR grant.
The recommendation comes from a subcommittee of the Cook County Community Center Board of Trustees that has met for the last four months to develop a plan for the playground.
“Additionally, we are looking at preserving and augmenting the outdoor nature play space for the kids that is adjacent to the playground areas,” wrote Booth. “We have had requests for input from parents at the library for several months and have included requests from the YMCA and childcare centers to have a fenced in area for smaller children.”
Ideas and suggestions have been collected, and a playground representative from Gametime is working with the committee to form a playground plan, wrote Booth.
Should all of the money be accrued, Booth said she is hoping the playground work can be started spring of 2018.
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