Playgrounds create more Chicago construction jobs

Posted on June 25, 2014

The building of several new playgrounds ended up in the creation or more Chicago construction jobs.

All in all, the city funded five rehabbed playgrounds at parks in neighborhoods across the City: Jackson Park in Woodlawn, Carver Park in Altgeld, Touhy Park in Rogers Park, Harold Washington Park in Hyde Park and Davis Park in Austin. Of the 103 playgrounds to be built or rehabbed this year, 20 have already been completed.

Over a five year period, the Chicago Park District will rebuild, repair and/or refurbish 325 playgrounds in communities across Chicago. Last year, 50 playgrounds were completely rehabilitated as part of Mayor Emanuel’s Chicago Plays! playground renovation program. An additional 11 soft surface playgrounds were rehabbed by the Park District.

The Chicago Park District worked with the Friends of the Park organization to seek community input and determine those playgrounds in greatest need of repair.

Mayor Emanuel’s Chicago Plays! program invests over $125,000 in new playgrounds equipment at each park location for an estimate program cost of $37,500,000, allowing to provide a broader investment in capital projects throughout the city.

“Mayor Emanuel’s Chicago Plays! plan was established to provide vibrant, accessible playgrounds to children across the city,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent Michael. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to renovate more playgrounds and impact more communities than expected this year.”

“These playgrounds provide Chicago kids with a safe place to play and be active, but they also help form the foundation for a stronger community,” said Mayor Emanuel. “As part of the Chicago Plays! initiative, we aren’t just building playgrounds – we’re building a new Chicago, community by community.”