The Village's Plan To Demolish And Build A New Kiddie Korral Park
The Elmwood Park Advocate obtained the village's grant application for the new Kiddie Korral Park, which contains concept designs
By Kevin Gosztola, Editor
Before the year is over, the Village of Elmwood Park plans to demolish the Kiddie Korral playground and build an entirely new park for recreation that will cost about $1.3 million.
Nearly half of the expenses will be paid for with an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The remaining will be covered by a “cash match.” (The source of the “match” was not identified.)
The new playground will have “rubber safety surface” underneath the equipment, replacing the dirt and mulch. New fencing, landscaping, lights, benches, and tables will be installed, along with a gazebo.
Two of the three trees will be cut down, and a splash pad will be added to the park, raising concerns that the park may be hotter during the summer due to the lack of shade.
On January 26, the village announced that it had received a $600,000 OSLAD grant and mentioned several of the upgrades envisioned for the 27-year-old Kiddie Korral park. It suggested that “families” had requested “new park amenities, especially water features.”
The Elmwood Park Advocate submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for a copy of the village’s grant application, including concept designs, which the village had not shared with residents yet.
From October 1, 2026, to March 30, 2027, the park will be torn down and rebuilt. No contract for construction has been awarded to any company yet, and the village plans to review bids for the project later in the summer.
A key reason for replacing the playground is liability concerns. The application submitted by Assistant Village Manager Kim Napolitano indicated that the equipment has “significantly deteriorated over time” and “poses safety risks.” Plus, the playground does not meet Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) “accessibility standards.”
“[T]he outdated playground will be replaced with modern, inclusive play structures that provide a safe and engaging environment for children and youth of all abilities,” the application stated.
According to the application, “The project will also include replacing existing asphalt sidewalks with new concrete pathways, installing perimeter fencing for safety and security, installing rubber safety surfacing, adding a gazebo and seating area with an ADA-accessible table, and incorporating security lighting to enhance visibility and safety during evening hours.”
An itemized list of new playground equipment includes two slides, a spinner, a bouncy horse, and an eight-person swing set.
Napolitano claimed that the village has “received strong support from the community and does not anticipate any opposition.” However, the Elmwood Park Advocate asked for records that would reflect community engagement, including public meetings, town halls, or small group dialogues.
No records other than a few emails were provided [PDF]. It is unclear what outreach was done by the village prior to applying for the grant.
The application refers to residents who previously identified the “need for accessible open space and preservation of current sources” as part of the village’s “Comprehensive Plan” [PDF], but that plan was adopted more than a decade ago in 2013.
In January, resident Mike Monahan, who is also a library board trustee, emailed Al Schmidt, who is the village’s director of parks and recreation. “If there’s not already plans finalized, is there a way for residents like me to be involved? That park is very important to me and my family as we’ve used it hundreds of times and plan to continue for at least 8 more years.”
Schmidt incorrectly stated that a “contract to build” was already awarded. Orion Galey, the vice president of Christopher B. Burke Engineering, then told Monahan, the grant application required a “preliminary design” and that created “some constraints with regards to making alterations now that the funding is in place.” He shared concept plans with Monahan.
However, according to the state DNR’s manual for OSLAD grants [PDF], it says, “Throughout the course of development, it may become necessary to change [the] scope, plans and/or specifications.” If that happens, the village is allowed to seek DNR approval for “any project change orders that represent significant deviations from the approved plans or anything over a 10% change.”
Monahan said it was “very disappointing” that 30 percent of the space will be a “splash pad that can only be used for three months of the year.” He asked if there was any way to save the trees. “The beauty of the trees and the shade they provide are the best part of the park.”
Two months passed with no reply, and Monahan raised his concern again on March 25. “I’m disappointed that I never received a response to my last email. Orion said feedback is welcome, and the exchange just ended.”
“Is it too late to avoid cutting down established trees for this plan? The park will be ruined if you proceed with this plan,” Monahan stated.
Village Manager Paul Volpe harshly responded, “While I’m glad you have shared your opinion, I emphatically disagree that the park will be ruined by the proposed plan. Regardless, we will look into the trees and advise accordingly.”
After the nudge, Galey finally offered an update. “In the middle of the park, there are two green ash trees, both of which unfortunately have emerald ash borer. With their health declining, removal is necessary as part of the project to ensure safety and longevity for the park.”
“However, I’m happy to share that the beautiful bald cypress in the northwest corner will remain,” Galey added. “Based on your feedback, we are also adding a new triumph elm tree to the plan, which will be located within the berm area.”
According to the village, emerald ash borer has killed “countless ash trees” in Elmwood Park in recent years. That is partly why the village has pursued an initiative to restore the community’s tree canopy.
Galey further noted that the redesign for the park includes “four new river birch trees, twenty new arborvitae,” and a “diverse selection” of shrubs, perennials, and grasses.
In a comment shared with the Elmwood Park Advocate, Monahan said the park isn’t only used by younger children. “Tweens, teens, and adults” use the park, and they do not typically use splash pads. The village already has two splash pads. “What we need is shade and open play areas.”
Previously, the village received OSLAD grants for the pickleball courts in the Circle and Centennial Park, which was built after the Elmwood Park Presbyterian Church was torn down in November 2012.
For an article published in January 2013, Elmwood Park Village President Peter Silvestri told the Elm Leaves newspaper, “We’ve been committed for the last 20 years to [creating] more open space. Whenever you get the opportunity to create some open space, it’s a good deal for the community.”
YOU’RE INVITED: On Saturday, April 25, at 3 p.m., the Elmwood Park Advocate will hold a “Community Conversation” at the Elmwood Park Public Library on parks and recreational spaces. We’ll meet in the Ferrentino Room.
Elmwood Park has several parks: Bambi Park, Centennial Park, Central Park, Elmgrove Park, Kathy Torpe Park, Kiddie Korral, Skate Park, and Triangle Park.
We’ll invite residents to discuss the time that they spend in our local parks, what they appreciate about the parks, and what they would like to see improved or updated. The conversation will also consider how Elmwood Park utilizes open spaces and how further spaces could potentially be developed. (You can RSVP here.)
Thanks for getting the plans. This confirms the concerns my wife and I have had of what would happen to the park.
It is to bad it is a really nice park now. Would be nice to no t have the splash pad and keep the trees and shade and just have more green area.
But I also understand changing needs for accesabilty and the current park is for sure not accessable to all.
Glad I got the kids a swing set this year as it looks like one of the best features there will be gone. Which is the 1970's swings that most of us who grew up here used.