Westminster Park in Woodridge is getting a new playground after crews removed the old equipment Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Staff from the Woodridge Park District and Kids Around the World dismantled the existing structure and loaded it for transport to the nonprofit's Rockford warehouse, the park district announced Wednesday. There, the equipment will be refurbished and reinstalled in an underserved community abroad as part of an international mission project.
The old equipment won't go to waste.
A new playground at Westminster Park will be ready for play in September, according to the district. No specific opening date or ribbon-cutting has been announced.
Where the old equipment goes
Kids Around the World, a Rockford-based nonprofit founded in 1995, has operated for nearly three decades on a simple model: collect commercial playground equipment slated for removal from U.S. parks and schools, rebuild it, and install it in impoverished communities worldwide. The organization completed its first build in 1994 in Brovary, Ukraine, which is Rockford's sister city. It has since installed more than 13,400 playgrounds globally, according to its website.
"These 1,000 playgrounds are the source of literally millions of joyous moments for the world's underserved children, and we are proud to have made such an impact over almost three decades of work," Jeff Rosene, Kids Around the World executive vice president, said in a May 2022 post on the Little Tikes Commercial blog when the organization celebrated its 1,000th installation in Portoviejo, Ecuador.
The nonprofit reported total revenues of nearly $9 million in fiscal year 2024 and employs 34 people, according to CauseIQ records.
What's next for Westminster Park
The district has not specified what manufacturer or design the replacement playground will feature. Megan Romano authored the park district's announcement but provided no details on cost or timeline beyond September.
Families who use Westminster Park should expect construction activity through the month.
Upcoming community events
- Westmont window mural program — signups now open for the fall session
- Downers Grove Sanitary District open house — Saturday, Oct. 3, free admission
- Everyone Thankful trivia night — fundraiser aiming to feed 400 families this holiday season
