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Orland Park unveils phase two of Shusler Park, highlighting accessible playground
Summary
Officials and donors marked the ribbon-cutting for phase two of Shusler Park in Orland Park, unveiling an inclusive playground funded in part by a $600,000 Illinois Department of Natural Resources OLAD grant and supported by the Scoffield Foundation.
Orland Park officials and members of the Scoffield Foundation on Saturday celebrated the ribbon-cutting for phase two of Shusler Park, unveiling a redesigned, accessibility-focused playground funded in part by a $600,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
"This was designed to be inclusive because we want everyone to be able to interact, grow, and learn," Mayor Dodge said, describing sensory-rich play areas, quiet spaces and accessible ramped pathways intended to let children of varied abilities play together.
Ray Pion, director of recreation and parks, opened the ceremony and thanked sponsors, designers and contractors who contributed to the project. Pion said the park project received an OLAD grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and that the village won a $600,000 award in support of the work.
Kendall Scoffield and Michael Scoffield of the Scoffield Foundation, introduced by the mayor, spoke about their personal ties to the community and their gratitude that the park had exceeded their expectations. A Scoffield speaker said seeing children on the finished playground felt "really special" and framed the space as a place to inspire future generations.
Pion and Dodge acknowledged local trustees and staff in attendance, including Trustee Bill Healey and Clerk Mary Norwell, and thanked design and construction partners named at the ceremony, among them Margaret Shidiz, Bridget Clark and landscaping contractor George's Landscaping, and engineers Mark Decker and Josh Elmore.
Event remarks emphasized the park’s years-long planning and collaborative effort among village officials, community donors and contractors. Organizers invited attendees to remain for the ribbon cutting and post-ceremony refreshments, noting local vendor Rainbow Cone would be present.
The ribbon cutting marked the public opening of the park’s second phase; officials framed the work as part of an ongoing village commitment to accessible public spaces. No formal votes or next procedural steps were announced at the ceremony.
