This week, Northbrook Park District is beginning to replace the playground for ages 2 to 5 at Wescott Park.
According to a news release, the project includes new and colorful “tot lot” playground equipment and synthetic safety turf on the 4.1-acre park at 1820 Western Avenue in Northbrook. The park’s softball fields and walking path will be accessible to the public throughout the construction project.
“We’re revamping Wescott Park because we are dedicated to providing fun and safety for our families,” Northbrook Park District Planning and Project Manager Nicole Wrobel said in the release. “Once the project is done, we look forward to families playing, exploring, and making memories together.”
A construction fence was scheduled to be installed on June 10 across the pathway by the tot lot, the release said. The sidewalk along Western Avenue, east of the tot lot, will not be affected.
According to the release, the existing play equipment will be removed on June 13. The project will be substantially completed before the start of the school year at Wescott School, with full completion by the end of August.
The park’s original playground was installed in 2005 and was reaching the end of its lifecycle, the release said. Input from the community was gathered with a preliminary survey in March 2023 and another in July 2023 to help select the final playground equipment. The winning design garnered 75% of the community’s votes.
The Park District scheduled the start of construction after the end of the school year at nearby Wescott School. This project will not affect access to the large playground near the school, the release said.
While Wescott Park is under construction, children and families can use nearby playgrounds at Village Green Park, at Shermer and Meadow roads; Greenview Park, 2407 Greenview Road; and Floral Park, 3105 Floral Drive.
For more information about the Park District’s projects and construction updates, visit nbparks.org/project/wescottpark.
