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Chicago Tribune
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Valparaiso unveils new playground designed for children of all abilities
Melissa Schick of Chesterton is amazed at the 'thought, imagination and caring design' used to create that latest addition to the Valparaiso Parks System. On Friday morning, Schick and her 37-year-old son Mark, who is a proud athlete and participant in the annual Special Olympics competitions, joined more than 200 gathered for Valparaiso Parks Department's unveiling of the new, inclusive playground at Foundation Meadows Park, described as 'a state-of-the-art play space thoughtfully designed for children of all abilities.' 'I wish there had been something like this for Mark and others 30 years ago,' said Schick, who was joined by her daughter-in-law and children, Rain, nearly a year old, and River, 2. They all marveled at the new landscape at Foundation Meadows Park, 3210 N. Campbell St. in Valparaiso. 'This incredible 5,230-square-foot playground, built through the rePLAY initiative, is a testament to Valpo Parks' commitment to providing meaningful spaces where all children can play, explore, and connect,' Valpo Parks Director Kevin Nuppnau said. 'The design incorporates innovative features to ensure accessibility and engagement for every child.' Among the highlights are the 12-foot-high Aventus Tower, an accessible tower with platforms allowing anyone of any ability to climb and explore and billed as 'the first of its kind.' A range of 10 slides safely serves all ages and thrill levels. There are 15 ground-level activities and eight sensory play experiences for discovery. Seven elevated components, all accessible by ramp, oversee the entire terrain and a large sled-like bench swing is designed for both children and their caregivers and large enough to welcome wheelchairs. According to Nuppnau, the park construction began in January, and the total cost was around $500,000, with a large portion of that cost dedicated to the price of the smooth, poured-in-place surfacing throughout the park space that is ideal for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. 'Valpo Parks extends its sincere gratitude for the collective hard work of parks staff and our partners at GameTime which made the equipment and Sinclair Recreation which developed the design and offered such key contributions to make this dream a reality,' Nuppnau said. Jessica Sharp, clinical director for Kidworks, LLC. Pediatric Therapy Center in Chesterton, said the new park will 'allow all kids to be kids, despite compromised abilities. 'Thank you Valparaiso Parks for this new space,' Sharp said. 'The equipment and features in this new park address sensory needs, coordination, communication with kids, motor skills, physical exercise and most of all, a place for young spirits to build up their confidence. Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas performed the ribbon-cutting honors with the help of his own grandchildren Bill and Ellen. 'Foundation Meadows Park was developed in the early 2000s, and it's the park of my own past,' Costas said. 'Today, this is the park of the future.' Tristan Leonhard, assistant director of Valparaiso Parks Department, said the new park unveiling is part of the rePLAY initiative to prioritize enhancing patron accessibility, address infrastructure needs, implement safety measures and invest in sustainability practices. He said the rePLAY initiative is funded by using bond proceeds originally earmarked for what was last year's proposed sports park that are now being put to immediate use for long-term benefits. 'Park renovations and construction are expected to be completed by the end of the year,' Leonhard said. To learn more about the rePLAY initiative and stay updated on project timelines and community engagement opportunities, visit
Chicago Tribune
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Valparaiso Parks announces new ‘inclusive' playground for Foundation Meadows Park this summer
A new and reimagined park landscape will be unveiled this summer at Foundation Meadows Park promising a state-of-the-art all-inclusive terrain of equipment highlights designed for children of all abilities, according to Valparaiso Parks Department Director Kevin Nuppnau. 'We are incredibly excited to bring this new inclusive playground to Foundation Meadows Park in early summer,' Nuppnau said. 'This playground is a testament to our commitment to creating inclusive play spaces where all children can thrive. We believe that play is essential for a child's development, and this new playground will provide countless opportunities for children of all abilities to learn, grow and have fun together.' Foundation Meadows Park is located at 3210 N. Campbell St., and the new park is estimated to cost around $500,000, with a ribbon-cutting and unveiling expected at the end of August 2025. Nuppnau said there's currently a selection of parks in Valparaiso with select activities equipment and features for children with accessibility issues but not one comprehensive specifically designed destination until this new initiative. 'Our Valpo Parks is thrilled to announce this new, inclusive playground is coming to Foundation Meadows Park as part of the rePLAY project,' Nuppnau said. 'This new state-of-the-art play space offers children of all abilities a chance to play, explore and connect with others. When ValPLAYso was completed in October 2014, it offered fully accessible features and considerations which had been part of the plan since the early design. And as with all of our parks, we are always improving and making any needed changes to assure we are ADA-compliant.' One of the new park's focal points will be the Aventus Tower, which Nuppnau describes as 'the industry's first accessible playground tower up to 12 feet.' He said the Valparaiso Parks Department development and planning team have been working with Sinclair Recreation based in Holland, Michigan, in cooperation with GameTime park equipment, which has been in business since 1929, to craft and build the 5,230-square-foot play space to feature several components designed to stimulate creativity, encourage physical activity and promote social interaction. Berglund Construction of Norwood Park, Illinois, is the hired contractor. The new park will include: • Poured-in-place surfacing: Providing a smooth, resilient, and accessible surface for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. • Fifteen ground-level components: Offering a variety of engaging activities accessible to all children. • Eight different types of ground-level play: Ensuring diverse play experiences and sensory stimulation. • Seven elevated play components accessible by a ramp: Allowing children using mobility devices to access elevated play features and experience the joy of climbing and exploring. • Two bench swings: Providing a relaxing and inclusive swinging experience for children and caregivers. The Aventus Tower is a new approach to modular tower design serving as a playground centerpiece to welcome climbers and showcase slides and sensory activities. A transfer platform makes it easier for children to transfer from a mobility device while 'SureGrip' climbing components provide extra support with a controlled environment. Valparaiso currently has more than 1,000 acres of parkland, 28 athletic fields, 24 miles of pathways, 15 miles of trails, 14 playgrounds, two golf courses and a dog park. Nuppnau began his role as park director in April 2023 overseeing the department of 40 full-time employees in addition to 250 seasonal workers and more than 900 volunteers.
