IRVING PARK — The ribbon cutting at Horner Park's new playground Saturday had added significance — it was the culmination of the Chicago Plays! initiative, under which the city has built or renovated 327 playgrounds since 2013.
In a statement announcing the completion of Chicago Plays! a year ahead of schedule, Mayor Rahm Emanuel called the project "one of the most aggressive playground rehabilitation programs in the country."
The Chicago Park District tapped into its capital budget to finance the program, investing an average of $135,000 per playground for a total of approximately $44 million.
Prior to Chicago Plays!, playground renovations were funded partially by the Park District, with the remainder of the tab picked up by aldermanic offices and fundraising efforts of entities such as park advisory councils.
With Chicago Plays!, advisory councils and community organizations were typically presented with three equipment designs to choose from, and the playing surface was limited to Fibar chips, a less expensive option than poured rubber.
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