By a Lake Forest Love Writer Built in 2004, the Forest Park Beach playground is nearing the end of its 15-20 year lifespan, which is typical for playgrounds. While ongoing maintenance has kept the playground safe and enjoyable, it’s a best practice to replace playgrounds at this stage.
The community helped select a new playground design for the beach. Two different options were shared with the community for feedback via an online survey conducted from July 26-Aug. 29. More than 570 residents shared their thoughts and suggestions, helping shape the revised playground design.
Residents offered their thoughts on two design choices.
The nautical-themed Option A was the most popular choice, with 55 percent of survey respondents preferring that design. View the Forest Park Beach Playground Options Survey Results for a summary of what we heard. The updated playground design uses the most popular choice Option A as the base and includes several enhancements based on community suggestions:
Enhanced Accessibility for Inclusive Play: Features for universal access ensure all children and adults can play and engage together.
Expanded Sensory Play: Additions include imaginative play features, cozy spaces like the popular fish climber, and sensory elements like bongos and chimes.
More Shade: In response to requests for better sun protection, we doubled the number of roofs for added comfort.
Exciting Climbing Options: A smaller version of the bass fish climber, which as a popular element from Option B, is incorporated into the design.
Resident input helped shape the new Forest Park Beach playground.
The playground design will be finalized this fall and funding for the new playground is included in the proposed Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The exact installation timeframe is still being determined, it will likely be either fall 2025 or spring 2026.
What do you think of the updated design? Take the short survey to review the updated design and share your comments.