Elmhurst can look forward to a new Hub playground at Berens Park in 2025. The Park Board approved the redevelopment concept for the playground at its Monday, November 11 meeting.
The original playground was constructed in 2004 when The Hub first opened. Its location near several athletic fields and Wagner Community Center makes it one of the most heavily used playgrounds at the Park District.
The playground is being reimagined to optimize available space and better meet the needs of park-goers. The new equipment will focus on providing play opportunities for a broad age range, as The Hub attracts a diverse group of visitors, from families to those attending activities and games at Berens Park.
Several consistently popular pieces of equipment are in the plan, including a zip line, tire swing and shaded merry-go-round structure, the We-Go-Round, which allows children of all abilities to share in the fun.
Streamlined seating and shaded picnic areas will encourage interaction among visitors. New landscaping will be planted, although mature trees will be preserved where possible. The playground installations will also adhere to the latest regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as ASTM and CPSC safety standards for playgrounds.
To form a concept for the park, the Park District gathered feedback from the community through a Party in the Park Input Meeting held in July 2024. An online survey was then made available for the public to comment on potential playground concepts and features.
Construction of the Berens Park Hub Playground is expected to begin in mid-February and be completed by mid-May 2025 to coincide with the seasonal opening of The Hub’s other amenities.
