Thu, Dec 5 @ 4pm: The Fitness Floor at the Recreation Center is reopening in a temporary new location while we continue repairs to the main fitness area.  Learn more.

Moroney Park Weil Tot Lot Renovation
Start Date
Spring 2023
Projected End Date
August 2023
Location
Moroney Park, 1055 St. Johns Ave

The Moroney Park Weil Tot Lot Playground is scheduled for replacement.

The playground design process is collaborative, and residents will have opportunities to get involved. If you are interested in receiving notifications about future playground meetings, please provide your contact information to Amalia Schwartz ([email protected])

Staff conducted a preliminary feedback survey in November 2021 to understand community interests and park use.

Staff held listening sessions and a community meeting, to collect feedback and review playground equipment layout and design options.

Update: Community feedback was translated into a final design for Moroney’s Tot Lot renovation. Check out the plans for Moroney Park’s Tot Lot and new pathway design using the buttons below.

Construction of Moroney’s Weil Tot Lot began in late April and is now open for play on August 25, 2023.

Schedule
Dates
Staff conducted a site feasibility study based on feedback gathered from the community. Two meetings were held in Spring 2022 to confirm the site plan.
Site Planning
Nov 2021 – May 2022
Multiple equipment layouts will be developed for community members to review and provide feedback.
Equipment Option Review
Jun – Sep 2022
Final designs will be prepared based on community input. The community will have an opportunity to review the final design.
Playground Design
Sep – Nov 2022
An invitation to bid will be issued and a contract awarded for construction.
Bid/Award
Dec-Feb 2022
Construct the preferred design selected by the community
Construction
Mar – Aug 2023

Project Updates

Stay Up to Date on the Latest Renovations

August 25, 2023

Moroney Park’s Weil Tot Lot is now open for play!

Over the next month, a few finishing touches will take place on and near the playground. The Park District anticipates the playground may close for a day in a few weeks to complete the finishing touches and the website will be updated prior to the temporary closure.

August 25, 2023
August 11, 2023

Moroney’s Weil Tot Lot renovation is nearly completed!


Moroney’s Weil Tot Lot renovation is nearly completed! The fencing, playground and playground surfacing are installed. The new Tot Lot will open in the coming weeks when the final playground inspection is completed.

August 11, 2023
August 9, 2023


The playground and playground surfacing have been installed and the fencing is scheduled for installation this week.
Following the installation of the fence, and one final inspection, the playground will soon open.

August 9, 2023
June 22, 2023

Construction is underway at Moroney’s Weil Tot Lot!


The site is graded, play equipment footings are laid out, the perimeter curb is framed and installation of the playground equipment has begun.

June 22, 2023
April 12, 2023

It’s official!

Construction of Moroney’s Weil Tot Lot is scheduled to begin Monday, April 24. On that date, the playground will be closed until construction is completed.

April 12, 2023
April 12, 2023

Construction is getting ready to begin at Moroney’s Weil Tot Lot. The tree protection fencing has gone up and the construction process is scheduled to begin next week. The playground will be open until construction begins; at that time signage will be posted about the playground’s closure.

April 12, 2023
November 28, 2022

The fruits of your feedback have arrived!

The Park District is excited to share the final playground renovation design for Moroney’s Weil Tot Lot. Following several rounds of community engagement, the collected feedback was translated into the final equipment selection and playground layout. See updated playground design rendering here.

The Park District would also like to share the redesigned playground entrance pathway, which will be ADA accessible and ease the slope into the playground. Through community engagement, the desire for stroller parking was heard, and will be included at the entrance path. See updated entrance pathway plan here.

Next Steps: We are on track to bid out this project in December and construction is anticipated to begin in the spring.

November 28, 2022
October 6, 2022

Community Feedback – Listening Sessions and Community Meeting

Over the last few months, the Park District collected neighbor comments on the playground equipment options for the Weil Tot Lot at Moroney Park. We would like to thank you for stopping by the August/September Listening Sessions and for your participation in last week’s Community Meeting. Currently, we are integrating neighbor feedback into the playground design, below is a summary of the key takeaways.
 
What is most loved about the current playground?
• House structure
•  Teeter totter
•  Location – due to the natural shading and the playground’s seclusion from the street

Is there a theme or color palette that will best suit Moroney?
•  Neutral, organic color palette with a few bright pops – natural color palette that will fit into the neighborhood
•  Theme – while many were impartial on the subject, a nature or forest theme was a popular suggestion and a theme could add value by giving the playground an identity, as this is how kids refer to the place rather than an actual name

What playground elements are a must have?
•  Swings, and swing type options
•  Climbing opportunities
•  A lookout platform – somewhere  kids can climb up high, see the trains pass
•  Room to run around and explore
•  Sensory play options – i.e., music play
•  Understanding that the playground is intended for the 2-5 age group, achieving a balance of diversity of play value to meet each child (ages 2-5) at their level of play, particularly the older end of the age range that may be ready for more challenging play elements.
•  Large play structure, with a few independent surrounding elements
• Opportunities to bounce and jump
•  Spinner and/or teeter totter
 
The Park District’s next step is to incorporate this feedback into the final design for the playground. Once the design is complete, we will share it with the community.

October 6, 2022
September 29, 2022

Official Community Meeting – Rosewood Interpretive Center

Our preliminary listening sessions for the Weil Tot Lot replacement projects concluded with a community meeting at Rosewood Beach Interpretive Center. We once again shared the various equipment design layouts and looked for resident’s feedback.

September 29, 2022
September 14, 2022

Listening Session – Ravinia Farmers Market

The playground design process is collaborative. Park District staff had a booth at the Ravinia Farmer’s Market to review equipment layout design options.

September 14, 2022
August 31, 2022

Listening Session – Moroney Park Weil Tot Lot

The playground design process is collaborative. Park District staff held a listening session in the park from 9am-11am to review equipment layout design options.

August 31, 2022
August 26, 2022

Listening Session – Moroney Park Weil Tot Lot

The playground design process is collaborative. Park District staff held a listening session in the park from 1pm-3pm to review equipment layout design options.

August 26, 2022