Providing Play

November 30, 2025

In this episode of Northbrook in 90, we want to tell you all about our playgrounds and how we make sure children have the best opportunities for outdoor play.

The Northbrook Park District features more than 500 acres of land across 23 park areas —including community parks, neighborhood parks and play lots — and the vast majority offer playgrounds.

Replacing playground equipment that has served its useful life is an important way of managing our resources, said Director of Parks and Properties James Kim.

In the last three years, we’ve replaced playgrounds at seven parks: Countryside Park, Greenfield Park, Meadowhill Park, Stonegate Park, Wescott Park, Williamsburg Square Park and the Cedar Lane Tot Lot.

Stonegate Park features the Park District’s most inclusive playground. We worked with the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association opens in new tab to select equipment to best serve park users with special needs.

Altogether, we have invested nearly $2.1 million since 2022 to make sure our young residents have modern and safe play equipment.

“Seeking community input is essential to our planning process,” Kim explained. “First, we create a survey for feedback on park amenities, and then we invite the community to vote on playground designs based on the survey results.”

Our next new playground will be at West Park, one of our largest and most popular community parks. Construction will start in mid-May, partly thanks to a $600,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources opens in new tab. As always, we sought input from park neighbors before selecting the new playground equipment.

Playgrounds are not just about providing opportunities for play — they also play an important role in children’s cognitive, social and emotional development, Director of Recreation of Eileen Loftus told us.

“Playgrounds stimulate sensory and motor activities, foster creativity and imagination, and facilitate collaboration and sharing. Outdoor play is even associated with improved school readiness!” Loftus said. “The benefits of children enjoying playgrounds are just incredible.”

And playgrounds are not just for the little ones, because nearly half of playground users are over the age of 13.

Adults and seniors typically enjoy picnic tables, benches and other spots where they can sit and watch children at play. Teens enjoy spaces where they can be social and connect with friends, like benches and swings.

And of course, joining children at play is a great way to be physically active!

Since its inception in 1927, the Park District has been committed to giving residents access to the highest-quality equipment, and we are proud to continue that tradition.

So come visit our playgrounds! We are always looking to provide new ways to play.