Refurbished South Evanston park opens

Clyde-Brummel Park reopened Friday morning after undergoing renovations, as well as installation of new play equipment, last week. Since no park is complete without gaggles of giggling children running through it, kids from the Robert Crown childcare program were on hand to try out the colorful new equipment. The renovation was the culmination of months of planning between the City’s parks and recreation department and KaBOOM!, a non-profit that partners with local organizations to promote play space equity in underserved areas. Another non-profit, the Purpose and Calling Foundation, operated by Chicago Cubs player Dansby Swanson and his wife, Chicago Stars player Mallory Swanson, donated $200,000 to complete the project. About 120 volunteers, mostly from the city and the two non-profits, gathered at the park on Oct. 29 to assemble new playground equipment, spread mulch and pour concrete. The official opening was scheduled later to allow time for the equipment to safely set into the concrete, add additional mulch and allow time for a city inspection. Ald. Matt Rodgers (8th) was on hand to cut the ribbon for the renovated park, with the help of some of the preschoolers who took time out from their play to lend a hand with the scissors. Also on hand for the brief opening ceremony was one of South Evanston’s longtime residents, 90-year-old Carmen Frost, who moved to the area in 1989. Frost indicated she was happy to see a new generation of area kids enjoy the park, and even sang a “good morning” ditty for the little visitors. Audrey Thompson, parks and recreation director, said the playground had become a space mostly used as a dog park and a hangout for the unhoused. “While we don’t want to discourage anyone from using the park, we also want others to feel welcome and included in the space.” The park’s two play areas are designed for children up to age 12. Thompson said it was “a nice thing to hear the community right here in this neighborhood say they like to hear the children laughing and running and playing and that now the playground can be used” as intended. Related