Contract Approved For New Playgrounds At Northeast Park

The Western Springs Park Board voted Tuesday to approve a contract for the installation of new playground equipment and three new benches at Northeast Park (at the corner of 39th and Linden.) The contract went to the lowest of five bidders: Green-Up Landscape, Inc., of Plainfield, for the cost of $31,711.

The equipment itself will be provided by Landscape Structures, Inc., of Delano, MN (distributed through NuToys, of La Grange,) for $59,371—a cost which covers everything to be added to the park. The total cost to the Park District of all improvements at Northeast will be $91,082: slightly, but not unmanageably, higher than the District's expected budget of $90,000.

After the Western Springs Park District removes the current apparatus, Landscape Structures will install two freestanding playground structures. The smaller one will include a single slide, a double-slide, two platforms, a connecting tube and various low-height climbing equipment. The larger structure is taller, with a single slide, two double slides, monkey bars, a bridge connector and a vortex-shaped netting, as well as additional climbers.

The plan also includes three new benches in the park, and new woodchip bedding to be laid under the playground structures. Improvements are expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year.

The Park Board is also considering adding a water fountain to the park in 2011.