Park District Dish: Popular park in Batavia opens to large crowds after three-year renovation

The wait is finally over … Engstrom Park is officially complete!

Engstrom Park, located at Millview Drive and Main Street in Batavia, is one of the Batavia Park District’s most heavily used parks. It features a baseball diamond, a basketball court and soccer fields, in addition to a pavilion and a playground.

The park was built in 1984 and came due for an upgrade several years ago. In 2014, parking lots were rebuilt; the nearly 1-mile walking trail was replaced; new rain gardens were added to help aid in stormwater runoff; and the shelter was renovated. In 2015, the focus was on the ballfield. New fencing was added; a new back stop was installed; and the spectator and player areas were redone. The infield was also regraded and enlarged. The last piece of the renovation was completed in May, when the entire playground was replaced and a safety surface was added.

The design of the playground area was not taken lightly, and park district staff wanted to ensure the community had a say in what would replace the previous equipment.

“In December 2015, we held an open house to allow the public to choose the playground design, and we had a fantastic turnout,” said Jim Eby, capital projects and contractual services manager for the park district. “The one chosen really incorporates the latest trends in playground design.”

The new playground features a 2- to 5-year-old area connected by stepping pods to the 5- to 12-year-old area. It has multiple climbing features, three slides, a swing set with two tot seats, a single adaptive use seat and two belt swings. But perhaps the most popular feature is the 50-foot zip line!

A poured-in-place safety surface was also added, which will allow for better access for anyone with mobility challenges. The material is able to withstand heavy use and weather conditions better than the typical playground surface. While the surface may feel hard, it meets the national fall criteria, which means the surface will absorb the impact and reduce the chance of injury to a child.

Since the playground opened on May 25, it has been a very popular destination for families.

“It’s been wonderful to see so many kids utilizing the playground at Engstrom Park,” said Kim French Treger of Batavia. “The colors are vibrant, and it really brings life to the corner of Main and Millview again. Even my 12-year-old daughter has enjoyed a little time back at the space net, and she couldn’t wait to take some out-of-town friends there to test out the new playground. Batavia Park District did a great job!”

Batavia Park District Board and staff will celebrate the completion of the park at a community dedication celebration at 10 a.m. Aug. 13 at the park. The event will include refreshments, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and family-friendly activities. For information, visit www.bataviaparks.org.

Kari Felkamp is director of marketing and public relations for the Batavia Park District. The "Park District Dish" column runs the second Thursday of each month in the Kane County Chronicle. Contact Felkamp at editorial@kcchronicle.com.