Penny Park is “one of the most used parks in Evanston.” The unique wooden playground offers:

- Endless possibilities for open-ended play

- Explorable spaces

- Opportunities for classic games like hide-and-seek

- Structures that encourage imaginative role playing

- Physical challenges for children of all ages

- Opportunities for interaction between age groups

The Evanston City Council currently plans to demolish the playground at Penny Park and replace it with an entirely new structure of composite plastic designed by Leathers & Associates. The new design has a lot in common with the other playgrounds in Evanston and includes many elements that are designed for a specific activity rather than open-ended play.

But Leathers & Associates recently worked with a community in New Brunswick to preserve the unique design of their wooden playground, originally built in 1993 (just two years after Penny Park). The resulting rehab of St. Andrews Creative Playground is constructed of both wood and plastic and combines design elements of the older playground with newer features. Playgrounds like Penny Park can be restored and renovated, rather than demolished!

Please sign the petition and join us in asking the Evanston City Council to preserve the unique design of Penny Park!