Riverside trustees gave their approval to a new design for the playground near Blythe Park Elementary School — on the condition the raised curb and fence planned to encircle the playground be removed.
Ryan Kelley, an associate principal with DLA Architects, the contracted firm for the project, presented the design preferred by Riverside District 96 board members to the village board on Nov. 20. The new playground will feature separate areas for kids aged 2-5 and those aged 5-12 and will see the park’s footprint expanded by 300 square feet, with a maximum capacity of 135 children.
“It was important as we met with the community, met with the school, understanding and knowing Blythe Park, that the playground reflect the park itself. We repeatedly heard that we were looking for something that’s organic,” Kelley told trustees. “What you’ll see in this equipment is rock outcroppings as opposed to stairs, log posts as opposed to metal stanchions and poles, and generally more organic and nature-inspired playground equipment.”
Trustee Jill Mateo pointed out one proposed play element that was blue and white in color could violate Riverside’s code related to preservation that calls for playground equipment to be “made of natural wood or stone materials or materials dark in color.”
Kelley said DLA could look to use a version of the equipment in a darker or woodier color moving forward.
As part of the design, he added, DLA proposed a perimeter curb around the playground in order to protect the roots of trees that could run underneath and allow for a water drainage system to be installed.
“One does exist today. It is flush with the grade and ground around it, but it doesn’t eliminate erosion,” Kelley said. “What we’re proposing is to raise a concrete curve, and, by doing that, we’re also proposing to put fencing on top of that curb to eliminate the tripping hazard that it creates.”
According to a village memo, Riverside’s preservation commissioners questioned the need for the curb and fence when Kelley presented the design to them on Nov. 3, though they ultimately expressed support for the project.
Joel Marhoul, a former member of both the D96 school board and Riverside’s planning and zoning commission, said during the public comment period that he did not support the inclusion of a fence.
“It would severely constrain current use. Right now, kids are free to use the equipment and then run on the slopes and around the trees. Lots of choice for them. This is what kids should be doing, and [they should be] not restricted to one single space,” he said. “Additionally, this community tries its very best to limit fences in open spaces. This board, supported by planning and zoning and village codes, does not generally allow fences in open spaces, and when it does, it is very, very conditional.”
Some members of the village board seemed to agree.
“I am very much sympathetic and in agreement with the concerns over changing the way that children use the Blythe Park playground. I think the ability to go from a swing set to sit under a tree or to have freedom of movement — to take that away from future generations is really, really problematic,” said Trustee Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga. “I do think that it is more than possible to seek out expertise and come up with alternate solutions for erosion control and drainage issues that do not involve a fence.”
Village President Doug Pollock said staff asked Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Riverside’s engineering firm, to look for an alternative solution. Engineers suggested adding a small bed of granite cobbles with a slight lip in place of a curb, with wood mulch sloping down toward the center of the playground.
“If the majority of the board is in agreement that you’d like to see other plans that exclude or remove the fence and curb, I would ask the school district representatives if they are willing to work with a plan,” Pollock said. “If they’re willing to continue working with our engineers to come up with something, we could approve it, subject to general compliance with that, with further details to be worked out between the engineers and building staff.”
Public Works Director Dan Tabb said the engineers’ suggested solution could negatively impact trees in the area, but another workaround could likely be reached.
“At the end of the day, we understand the school district wants to build a park. We both want a park. We’re trying to meet in the middle somewhere, and I think our engineering firm and the architects can find some middle ground to this without a fence,” Tabb said.
