PORTAGE PARK — With a the help from more than 250 volunteers, O.A. Thorp Scholastic Academy finally has a playground, transforming "a barren asphalt landscape."
While the playground is still fenced off — Chicago Public Schools' officials will pour a soft surface around the blue-and-red play structure — the area around the Portage Park magnet school is no longer what Principal Efren Toledo called a "barren asphalt landscape."
A grant from KaBoom!, funded by Dr. Pepper and Snapple, provided between $200,000 and $250,000 to build the playground for Thorp's 832 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Heather Cherone breaks down what's going on at two neighborhood parks:
Construction of the playground is the first major step in implementing a $2 million master plan created more than a year ago for the school at 6024 W. Warwick Ave.
The playground features a steel spider web designed to allow children of all ages and abilities to play together off the ground.
It also features a Superdome, a semi-spherical jungle gym designed to develop coordination and body strength.
In addition to winning the KaBoom! grant, Friends of Thorp raised $50,000 for the campus park plan. Ald. Tim Cullerton (38th) contributed another $50,000.
Without the KaBoom! grant, Thorp students would have had to wait until 2018 for a playground to be built, according to Chicago Public Schools officials.
Along with a playground, plans call for a grassy field for soccer and other sports, benches and an improved running track.
In addition, the master plan envisions a rain garden with natural plants and birdhouses to help students learn about science, as well as natural play areas.
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