The Homewood-Flossmoor Park Board, in another step to improve the play area at Irwin Park, agreed to a $252,032 contract for new play equipment.

The board took the advice of parks Executive Director Doug Boehm to approve the contract now. He said if the board chose to wait, the cost would likely increase between 5% and 7%. That would have raised the price as much as $17,600.

Sourcewell will be supplying the equipment made by Landscape Structures of Minnesota. Sourcewell worked with the park district this summer to replace play equipment in three parks.

The park district held two public meetings in 2024 to give residents an opportunity to discuss the updates for Irwin Park and offer input on what they wanted to see in the park plans.

Work on the playground site will begin in spring. Boehm said the play equipment will be stored in the park district garage until then. The work will also give Irwin Park more play equipment then what is currently there.

Parks Commissioner Angie Coderre asked if the zip lines were necessary. It is geared toward tweens. Coderre favored more equipment for younger children. She said zip lines “are hot right now, but they’re less creative play.” 

Boehm said the zip lines meet the needs of South Suburban Special Recreation Association working with kids with special needs. Coderre voted with other commissioners to move forward on the purchase.

In fall 2024, the park district was awarded a $600,000 Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) matching grant for improvements at Irwin Park. 

Staff had been discussing the need for playground updates since 2023. The last major updates to the park were the addition of the gazebo, additional parking, benches and amphitheater in 2008.

This latest plan for Irwin Park improvements calls for playground equipment that is geared for kids ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. The play area will get a shade structure.

The park board also agreed to renovate the space on the southwest end of the park, including removal of the one ballfield. The plan calls for a new game area with a shade structure and several game tables. The area also will get a rain garden with a pergola, a swing bench and a stationary bench. 

An ADA-compliant ramp off of Gottschalk Avenue was installed this summer to give easy access to the play area to children with special needs. Boehm said he’s heard positive comments from residents who appreciate the improvement.