New accessible playground opens in Round Lake Beach

Round Lake Beach, IL – The Round Lake Area Park District is thrilled to announce a Grand Opening Celebration of Hero Park, its new accessible playground, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Hero Park, located at 2041 N. Orchard Lane in Round Lake Beach.

This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required — just come out and enjoy one of the largest inclusive playgrounds in Lake County! The Grand Opening will feature trackless train rides, an airbrush artist, treats and giveaways (while supplies last).

Hero Park, which stands out as one of Lake County’s most inclusive parks, is specifically designed to remove physical and social barriers, allowing children of all abilities to play side-by-side in a safe and welcoming environment. Some of its key features include safe, smooth, spongy surfacing, high-back swings, specialized seating and handholds, ramps from bottom to top, full fencing, a splash pad, and so much more!

“Hero Park is more than a playground; it’s a space where every child can experience the joy of play without limitations,” said Round Lake Area Park District Executive Director Katie Gamroth. “We’re proud to create a place that fosters connection, confidence, and community for children and families of all abilities.”

The Park District first announced plans for Hero Park in 2022. The site of the inclusive playground, which is part of the North Shore Park campus, previously was home to a preschool, until that building was removed in 2020, and a playground. The former playground was taken down in 2023 and its equipment donated to Kids Around the World, an agency that removes playground parts and refurbishes them for use in other countries. Construction of Hero Park began in 2024.

Hero Park opened to the public in late June of 2025 during its “soft opening,” in which some final touches were still being added. By its Grand Opening on Aug. 16, everything will be finished. The staff has worked hard to make the vision of this inclusive playground a reality.

“Seeing Hero Park open to the public is incredibly rewarding,” said Ane Olivares, superintendent of parks at the Round Lake Area Park District. “From navigating challenges, to keeping construction on track, it’s been a full journey, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished for this community. It’s exciting to see it already bringing people together.”

Hero Park is open daily from dawn to dusk, while its Splash Pad is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer. Hero Park features fully accessible restrooms, which are open during the day, but are locked from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

For more information, please visit rlapd.org or follow the Round Lake Area Park District on Instagram and Facebook at @roundlakeareaparkdistrict.