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Board approves Playtopia design recommendation for $2.25M inclusive playground, seeks grants for added features
Summary
Trustees approved awarding Playtopia the design/procurement role for a $2,250,793.40 playground at Villas of Old Oak Park and discussed funding gaps for poured‑in‑play surfacing and a drinking fountain, noting $250,000 was budgeted and additional grants will be sought.
The Village of Homer Glen voted to move forward with Playtopia to design and procure playground equipment for Villas of Old Oak Park under a not‑to‑exceed figure of $2,250,793.40.
Trustee Reinders, representing the Parks & Recreation Committee, said the committee unanimously recommended the vendor after competitive proposals and stressed the board intends to pursue grants to add amenities. "We're hoping that, with the additional grants that we're hoping that we're going to be able to put the pour in play in a small pavilion," Reinders said, referring to an inclusive rubberized surface (approximately $137,000 extra) and other add‑ons such as a drinking fountain (~$9,300).
Trustee McNaughton said the proposal "meets and exceeds all federal guidelines, including ADA," and trustees discussed tradeoffs between design features and budget implications. The village has $250,000 budgeted for the project and will seek state and federal grants to fund additional inclusivity elements and a possible pavilion. The board approved the design award to Playtopia and directed staff and attorneys to return with a contract for legal review before final procurement.
Trustees asked staff to verify warranty terms and, where feasible, U.S.‑made components for recycled materials used in the design. Implementation will proceed in stages: design and grant applications first, contract and construction later if grant funding is secured.
