Community examines Skinner Park designs, tries to balance usage
By Susan Fong
The Skinner Park Advisory Council (SPAC) met with representatives of the Chicago Park District (CPD) and the West Loop community recently to review renderings for two possible designs for the new Skinner Park. The evening meeting convened at the Chicago Police Academy in the West Loop.
Aldermen Walter Burnett (27th
Ward) and Robert Fioretti (2nd Ward) attended, along with about
50 others.
SPAC President May Toy opened by thanking both aldermen for help securing TIF (tax-increment financing) funding of $750,000 for the playground and $150,000 for a water-spray recreational area.
Fioretti and Burnett in turn thanked area residents for their fundraising efforts, which included selling bricks that SPAC will place on park pathways.
Earlier this year, a SPAC committee submitted a design for the park and a feasibility study to the CPD. Beth Tomlin, CPD project manager, along with CPD Area Manager Gia Biaggi, were on hand to present the Skinner Park renderings.
With Skinner School advocates and community members at odds in the past over use of the park, Biaggi said the CPD will split and develop the area in such a way that the school does not have exclusive rights to the park. For example, preschoolers will have their time at the park while older children are in school, she said.
Also, Burnett combined the community and Skinner School requests for the park when seeking TIF money, which will fund both portions of the project.
The design phase will take four to five months, with completion expected sometime next year.
The first design features a brightly colored art theme, which includes play sculptures in the form of stone worms and two bays of swings. It offers a distinct separation of areas for the preschool and for children age five through 12.
The second design features a camping theme and colors inspired by nature but has no distinct separation for different age groups. It reflects the needs of mothers who have children of widely varying ages and features only one bay of swings, a small bridge, and an outdoor theater area for sitting and play.
As residents discussed moving around and combining elements of the designs, Tomlin mentioned workers could save a beloved existing tree if building occurs on only one side of the tree. Workers must cut down the tree, however, if building takes place on both sides.
Tomlin also proposed sand tables (whose sand-filled wells are raised off the ground on table legs) instead of sandboxes to promote hygiene.
Residents raised the idea of building more pathways.
Both designs offer a water spray with slip-proof surface and new rubber surfaces for play structures for both preschoolers and those ages five to 12.
Attendees asked about maintenance of the rubber surfaces, but Tomlin said they were easy to care for with sufficient drainage to prevent mildew. The major problem with rubber surfaces comes from vandalism, but Tomlin said the surface would be easy to repair. She also noted the park would comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The crowd was split almost evenly between the two designs, with a small majority favoring the second because of its natural color scheme. Tomlin said she would discuss adding pathways and gates with the CPD.
Attendees also said that they did not want to lose any swings with the new playground, as they currently are one of the most popular features.
Tomlin said bricks from SPAC's fundraising efforts would be included in the playground.
Toy closed the meeting by explaining that, although the playground committee stopped active fundraising efforts this year after the TIF allocation came through, bricks still are available for purchase.
