The Oswegoland Park District’s Prairieview Park will be undergoing an update this year. Since 1995, the existing playground has entertained children in the Prairieview neighborhood and the Oswegoland Park District community. Rather than recycling the existing equipment slated for removal, the playground will be finding a new home abroad.
The equipment will be donated to Kids Around the World, a nonprofit organization dedicated to repurposing used playgrounds to positively impact the lives of children in countries affected by war, poverty, illness and natural disasters. Founded in Rockford in 1994, Kids Around the World has built playgrounds for children in more than 60 countries around the globe.
“We’re lucky to be able to work with an organization like Kids Around the World right here in Illinois. Instead of recycling the playground for parts, the playstruture will find new life and inspire children across the globe to engage in play,” said Rich Zielke, Park District Executive Director.
The Oswegoland Park District has previously donated playgrounds to Kids Around the World from Briarcliff and Lakeview Parks. Once removed by Kids Around the World volunteers, the playgrounds are refurbished and sent abroad. These playgrounds bring joy to children who wouldn’t otherwise have access to parks or a playground, allowing them the opportunity to feed their emotional, physical, social, and creative growth through play.
The new Prairieview Park play equipment will be installed by the end of the year. The new playground will include a 14’ tower to overlook the park and wetlands, five slides, swings, and the new modern merry-go-round called the Revolution Spinner which is ADA accessible and accommodates up to ten users! All of these new play features will be on a rubberized, poured-in-place surface for fun and inclusion for all.
