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Read the press release here.

New Park Between Bryn Mawr and Hollywood Making Splash With Residents

By Linze Rice | July 1, 2015 5:55am
 Part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Chicago Plays! initiative, work just completed at the new Brywn Mawr park.
Bryn Mawr Park
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EDGEWATER — Brand new play equipment, whimsical sprinklers and slides galore sit under a canopy of treetops in the new park just east of Sheridan Road, nestled between Hollywood and Bryn Mawr avenues in Edgewater.

On a bright and sunny Tuesday afternoon, the playground was full of kids from neighboring communities, day camps and down the street — all enjoying a warm day at one of the most northern points of Lincoln Park.

Built as part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Chicago Plays! program with the Chicago Park District, the once open field got a $125,000 makeover to bring in new playground equipment, landscaping and access to parks.

On Saturday, Emanuel's wife, Amy Rule, Ald. Harry Osterman (48th) and Chicago Park District Chief Operating Officer Patrick Levar were on hand to cut the ribbon at the park's official opening.

One of the biggest reasons for creating the park was to "offer the children of our community a safe and engaging place to play" Osterman said in an email to residents.

New grass sprouting up in the field just off Bryn Mawr leading to the park. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]

On Tuesday, Rogers Park resident Rachael Ferrell said she drove down to the park with her four kids, including a 5-month-old daughter, to check it out for the first time.

"It's pretty cool, it's different than most of the other parks I've seen before, it's very esthetically pleasing," she said. "We drove today, but it'd make a nice walk though I think."

Ferrell's 7-year-old son, Colin, said he enjoyed the swing set most, while his older sister, 9-year-old Emma, said she was a fan of the spinning bucket seats.

A leaf-shaped water fixture showering down on the park. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]

Delia Sanchez, who nannies two boys who live in Edgewater, was there with the boys as well as her own daughter, 12-year-old Danielle Rivera, all wanting to see what the new playground had to offer.

Sanchez said it took her a little while to find the park, which is on the west side of North Lake Shore Drive snuggled behind a group of high-rises.

Eventually, she said she just "followed the trail of kids" and found the park.

"We've been here since 11 a.m. and they still want to play," Sanchez said late Tuesday afternoon.

Her daughter took a short reprieve from playing to sit in the shade and talk about her favorite part of the playground, getting creative on the swing set.

"It's really fun, I like the swings the most because you can stand on them," Rivera said, noting that she could almost swing all the way around.

A group running through a hoop-shaped sprinkler together. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]

A day camp was also there Tuesday, with most members dripping wet from running through the mounted sprinklers on the park's east side.

Together, the group held hands, shrieked with laughter, and ran through the spraying water together — giggling all the way.

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