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Hinsdale panel advances Dietz Park playground redesign and seeks resident input on age, color and features
Summary
The Parks and Recreation Commission moved the Dietz Park playground replacement to the top of the agenda and staff outlined a $200,000 plan to replace aging equipment, work within the existing footprint and produce renderings in parallel with the village master plan; residents asked for lighter colors, safer slides and play elements for multiple age groups.
The Hinsdale Parks and Recreation Commission on July 14 advanced plans to replace aging equipment at Dietz Park and asked staff to develop renderings that reflect resident feedback.
Staff said the project is included in the village’s capital improvement program with $200,000 allocated for the playground replacement and that the village plans to use a joint-purchasing procurement path with Cunningham/GameTime to expedite ordering. “It is in our capital improvement projects for $200,000,” a staff member said during the presentation.
Why it matters: Dietz Park is a heavily used neighborhood playground near several schools, and residents told commissioners that the site’s character — the locally known “Hippo Park” — is important to preserve while making equipment safer and more usable across ages. Staff emphasized the work will focus on the existing playground footprint and will be coordinated with the village’s parks master plan, expected in draft form by late August or early September.
Residents at the meeting urged changes to color choices and to equipment that serves both younger and older children. “It’s a special park — it’s our backyard,” resident McKenna Milke said, adding that lighter colors would help with heat and that younger and older kids often use the same equipment.
Children and parents also suggested elements such as disc-style swings and small ‘ninja’ or adventure features to keep older kids engaged while protecting smaller children. A child who identified himself as Charlie asked for play options designed so older kids and younger kids could play separately yet safely.
Staff addressed safety and accessibility questions: wood-fiber mulch with a ramp currently meets ADA entry requirements, but equipment layout must be adjusted to meet modern fall-zone standards; the renovation will include new wood-fiber surfacing and improved drainage to reduce sogginess after heavy rains. Commissioners asked staff to balance community preferences with the limits of the current budget and footprint.
Next steps: staff will work with the joint-purchasing vendor to produce renderings, incorporate resident input, and coordinate with the master-plan consultant. Commissioners and staff said they will continue gathering resident feedback before formal design approval and procurement decisions.
