ALTON — Officials dug down in Gordon F. Moore Community Park dirt Thursday afternoon where children of all abilities soon will enjoy a cluster of inclusive playground equipment.
The closest such playground is the 3-year-old, JSC Boundless Playground at Robert C. Stille Edwardsville Township Airplane Park, 6364 Center Grove Road, Edwardsville.
Haynes said the custom, eagle-themed playground equipment with representative "trees" has arrived at the park, 4550 College Ave., with assembly beginning in the next couple weeks.
He said the grand opening should be in mid-June, if weather allows. The all-inclusive playground, a cluster of swings, slides, climbing features and other equipment will be installed just inside the main gates to the park, to the east. The area is just past the Workers' Memorial, near a large parking lot. The city originally had planned to build the playground across Park Road near the concession stand.
Haynes said park founder, the late Dr. Gordon F. Moore, "had recreation in mind; he had recreation for everyone in mind," and would approve of a playground for children of all abilities. He said previously adults also could use the playground.
City department heads, two aldermen, members of the Alton Park and Recreation Commission, Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau and business representatives were among those attending the groundbreaking.
As with the original development of the park in the 1970s, made possible by volunteer union tradesmen, he said union members will be helping with future upgrades.
The city is planning $2.2 million in improvements overall at the park, some of which will be covered by grants. The "eagle," all-inclusive playground is Phase I of the project, for which Haynes said the city and a citizens' committee has raised $354,275, more than the necessary $300,000. The remainder will go toward Phase 2 of the project.
Of that total, corporations, local businesses, small donors and Greater Gateway Realtors' Association donated $225,100, including $125,000 from Phillips 66; with another $125,000 matching grant coming from Illinois Park and Recreation Association, Playcore and their affiliates, GameTime and Cunningham Recreation. "Dine Out for Gordon Moore Park" event raised $3,500, and a brick paver sale drew $675.
"Over 200,000 still is needed to complete Phase 2 of the project, the concession and restrooms" replacement, Haynes told The Telegraph prior to the ceremony. The city will demolish the old building, and build a larger facility with locker rooms, restrooms and seating area on the west side of Park Road, across the street from the inclusive playground.
In case there is a shortfall, the city will be applying for a $200,000 loan from the Madison County Park and Recreation Grant Commission's, Capital Improvements Low Interest Loan Program. The city would pay off the five-year loan from future Park Enhancement Program (PEP) grants it receives.
A former, ad hoc citizens group, "Light up Alton," which had been working with Pride Inc., joined with city representatives to form the Gordon Moore Park Restoration Committee to cover the entire, planned $2.2 million in improvements. As of late March, the combined effort had raised about $1.775 million. The city also plans upgrades so the park is compliant with Americans With Disabilities Act, and will add an exit lane from Park Road to College Avenue using a $687,000 grant.