CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AT AVALON SIENNA

Residents of the Avalon Sienna area in Wheeling are well on the way to having the new playground they wanted for their neighborhood.

As part of Wheeling Park District’s “people-driven design process”, staff met with residents twice in the last two months to create a redevelopment plan for the playground. A public “listening session” was held in early June to hear the opinions of adults and children from the neighborhood regarding various options for play pieces. Staff returned in July for the design presentation. Once the plan was approved by the Park Board of Commissioners on July 20, the play pieces were ordered and construction began in September.

The new playground design, for ages five through 12, features bright, colorful play pieces, synthetic safety surfaces and whimsical shade structures. The area, designated for ages two to five, will have a variety of unique equipment including a race-car track, both spelling panel and motion play tables, shape and fit table, steering and bead panels, balance steppers, music makers, numbers climber, inclined tunnel, wiggle ladder and curved slide. A toddler swing and friendship swing are located adjacent to, at a safe distance from, the active play area. The section, for five- to 12-year-olds, includes additional music makers (kettle and goblet drums), climbing apparatus (belt bridge, star seeker, belt hammock, vertical ladder, overhead ladder with swiggle-knot bridge and spiral, pod, flex and mobius climbers), grab bar, swings, wobble pods, roller and alpine slides and spinners (saddle and curva).

“We are very happy to provide Avalon Sienna residents with the playground they desired,” said Wheeling Park District Executive Director Jan Buchs. “It is all part of fulfilling our mission of providing memorable experiences in parks and recreation that enrich our communities.”

Avalon Sienna playground is located at 5 W. Willow Road in Wheeling.