Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Park District Superintendent Michael P. Kelly, Alderman Matthew O’Shea (19th Ward) and members of the Beverly community visited the construction site of a new playground at Ridge Park, located at 9625 S. Longwood. The Ridge Park playground is one of the first 50 of 300 aging playgrounds that will be completely rehabilitated as part of the Chicago Plays! playground renovation program. Last March, Mayor Emanuel announced that over the next five years, the Chicago Park District will rebuild, repair and/or refurbish 300 playgrounds in communities across Chicago.

In order to prioritize equipment replacement, the Chicago Park District worked with the Friends of the Park organization to seek community input and determine those playgrounds in greatest need of repair. The Chicago Plays! program invests approximately $100,000 in new playground equipment at each park location for a total program cost of $30,000,000, allowing the Chicago Park District to provide a broader investment in capital projects throughout the City. The first 50 playgrounds to be upgraded including Ridge Park playground, announced by the Mayor last July, are scheduled for completion by fall 2013.