Washington Park Playground Renovation

Washington Park Memorial Bricks
Are Available Again!

Playground Officially Open!

On a rainy September 15, 2006 the Springfield Parks Foundation officially opened the newly renovated Washington Park Playground. A press conference and ribbon cutting ceremony was held, and following the ceremony, Cathy Schwartz, Parks Foundation president and Carolyn Dungan, chairman of the renovation committee graciously “gave” the park to Park District Board President Leslie Sgro. The Park District will now handle the maintenance and upkeep of the park.

To date, the renovation committee has raised nearly $400,000 of the needed $450,000 to complete the playground renovation. The funds have been raised solely by private donations from dedicated individuals, organizations and businesses. We are still in need of additional funds for the playground, so if you would like to make a donation, please send payment to the Springfield Parks Foundation, Bunn Park, 2500 South 11th Street, Springfield, IL 62703.

We Thank Our Donors

Please look for our many wonderful donors listed on plaques throughout the playground.

About the Playground

This multi-dimensional project combines the best of traditional and modern playground features with educational learning areas designed to appeal to children of all ages. Encompassing almost two acres of the designated historic park, the playground challenges modern youth through exploration and adventure, while providing comfort, shade, and a pleasant natural environment for adults and children.

Landscape architect and Springfield resident, Kent Massie designed the new playground to reflect our modern community values and the history of Washington Park. The innovative plan emphasized exercise and social interaction, as well as full accessibility and safety. New features such as a rock climbing wall, special tot play area, and an amphitheater complement the historic well house, stone walls, iron fences, strolling bridge, and period lighting. Activity zones are grouped for appropriate age play to maximize fun and experience, and to provide plenty of nearby seating for supervising adults.

Play structures were probably first introduced to Washington Park around the 1930s and since then, generations of Springfield area children and adults have enjoyed countless hours at this well-loved and well-worn playground.