BRONZEVILLE — The Dunbar Park playground, 300 E. 31st St., is getting a makeover.
The renovation is part of Chicago Plays, an initiative created by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Park District in 2013 to replace aging playground equipment at 325 parks.
Residents attending the monthly Gap community meeting Tuesday night had an opportunity to vote on several designs before settling on one proposal from a Canadian firm.
Construction on the ADA-accessible playground will start this fall, once the Chicago Park District removes the old playground equipment, and will finish at the end of the year. The projected cost is $120,00 to $160,000, typical for installing a new playground, said Maria Dmyterko Stone, the Park District's community relations manager.
So far, dozens of city playgrounds have been renovated.
This move coincides with the latest plan to revitalize the Gap area, which includes redeveloping longtime Bronzeville landmark retail/residential hub Lake Meadows. Representatives from real estate developer Draper and Kramer were on hand to update residents on its progress.
Also coming to the 35th Street retail corridor is King Nail Salon, a family-owned business setting up shop in Gappie Plaza later this year.
Meanwhile, the future of the Chicago Computer Club is uncertain, as owners have not renewed their lease, according to representatives from Next Realty. The owners of King Nail Salon also own the popular Strong Nails in Lincoln Park.
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