Sabrooke Park Playground Improvements

Thursday, February 26, 2015

News Release

February 26, 2014

Media Contacts: Jodi Stromberg-jstromberg@rockfordha.org – 815-489-8578

Laura Gibbs Green-lauragibbsgreen@rockfordparkdistrict.org – 815-298-5496

Sabrooke Park Playground Improvements

Rockford, IL – The Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners approved a construction contract on February 24, 2015 with Stenstrom Excavation and Blacktop Group in the amount of $375, 900 to complete the Sabrooke Park Playground Development project, 2900 Kishwaukee Street, Rockford. The Board of Commissioners also approved a contract be issued to GameTime c/o Cunningham Recreation in the amount of $55,933.75 for new playground equipment to be installed at Sabrooke Playground. In 2014, the Rockford Park District, in partnership with the City of Rockford and the Rockford Housing Authority, was selected to receive a $241,300 State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant. The grant award will fund 50% of the planned improvement costs. The total project cost is $482,730.  In partnership with the Park District, the Rockford Housing Authority has also committed $100,000 for the completion of this project. The remaining costs will be funded through the Park District’s capital improvement project budget. RHA CEO Ron Clewer says, “The RHA and Rockford Park District have a long history of very good work together. This is yet another example of our innovative partnership! We are thankful to have this relationship with the Park District and are very excited about this great mutual community investment. The park will benefit our families and include us as part of the neighborhood! It’s a way to grow and give back.” Since the late 1940’s, the current Sabrooke Playground site has been leased by the Rockford Park District from ComEd. The existing playground equipment at Sabrooke Park was installed in 1999. Based on the District-Wide Projected Lifecycle Replacement Guideline of 15 years, this playground was due for renovation in 2014.The new playground site is located on the adjacent property owned by the Rockford Housing Authority. The Sabrooke Park Playground Development project includes: demolition of the existing playground, site grading, storm water drainage installation, new drinking fountain, new spray pad, new asphalt pathways, new basketball court, new chain link fencing at the existing ball field, new picnic shelter, new playground featuring accessible equipment and synthetic turf play surfacing for children ages 2-12, new community garden plots, site furnishings, landscape plantings, turf establishment, and native plant installation.  Work is expected to be completed by the end of summer.]]>