Old Plank Park Grand Opening Dedication Ceremony Update 3.21.2025
PRESS RELEASE:
OLD PLANK PARK PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT PROJECT
March 21, 2025:
Old Plank Park Grand Opening! You are invited! Come out on April 11, 2025 at 6:00pm for a ribbon cutting/dedication ceremony (weather permitting) with remarks from the Wildwood Park District and Gagewood Lions Club. Light refreshments will be available.
February 27, 2025:
Installation and curing of the new playground equipment, sitting benches, and permanent concrete walking path has been completed. Official Old Plank Park re-opening anticipated to take place on or near Friday, April 4th 2025 (weather permitting). Information about official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be forthcoming and communicated on the WPD website, social media channels, and newsletter. Please continue to refrain from accessing the park past the orange security fencing as maintenance personnel are in the process of planning for and executing refurbished picnic bench install, tree/brush removal, and re-seeding of the grass in disturbed areas.
December 6, 2024:
Excavation and construction for the new playground has begun as of 12.6.2024 through Ostrander Landscaping. Please exercise caution driving near the work site as construction vehicles and equipment will be utilizing the street shoulder during the construction period. Please do not enter the park and construction area to as orange construction fencing has been erected around the work site to protect the disturbed areas, equipment, and concrete curing.
October 21, 2024:
The Wildwood Park District is happy to present final design renderings for the upcoming Old Plank Park playground equipment replacement project and walking path addition. The project will include four new sitting benches, a paved accessible walking path, and new multi-age playground equipment and swings replacing the previous equipment onsite.
We would also like to thank the Gagewood Lions Club (who is a generous monetary contributor to this project and has funded and executed many Wildwood and Gages Lake area playground builds). The Lions Club will be instrumental in helping remove the existing equipment and sharing it with the local neighborhoods who may be in need of play equipment.
Beginning Monday, October 21st, 2024, Old Plank Park will be closed off for current use due to the scheduled removal of the existing equipment. We anticipate the new equipment and construction will begin in December 2024 with a grand opening scheduled for early Spring 2025 (weather dependent).
In early 2024, the Wildwood Park District conducted a general Community Needs Assessment Survey as well as a pointed Willow Point Park and Old Plank Park Playground Equipment Needs Assessment Survey to receive feedback on necessary renovations and upgrades. Survey results determined that residents favored Old Plank Park to receive the renovations due to decades of wear and tear, lack of playground equipment, and desire for accessibility and inclusivity. Survey results also showed that residents most sought playground equipment that can accommodate all ages and all abilities with age-specific areas, climbing components, interactive and sensory equipment, slides, swings, and additional seating for adults. A public Open House was held on September 12th to view the design and color scheme options as well as a detailed online survey that helped the Park District and Lions Club representatives move forward with the chosen design scheme.
For more information or questions, please reach out to Wildwood Park District Executive Director, Brandon Magnini, via phone at 847.223.7275 or via email at bmagnini@wildwoodparkdistrict.com.
