Groundbreaking Held for Harmony Playground

Despite the wind and rain and a little bit of snow, groundbreaking ceremonies were held Tuesday afternoon for Harmony Playground.

The accessible-to-all playground will be located at Evergreen Hollow Park, just north of the tennis courts along Maple Street, east across from the Workman Sports and Wellness Complex.

The playground is the vision of a group of parents with children with special needs, but is also the vision of Park District Director Jeff Althoff, who has been meeting with the parents since the start more than two years ago. It is also the vision of Aaron Myers, who headed up the fundraising for the project.

(EFFINGHAM PARK DISTRICT DIRECTOR JEFF ALTHOFF AND HARMONY PLAYGROUND CHIEF FUNDRAISER AARON MYERS)

More than $700,000 was raised for the project. While a professional playground installer will handle the installation, the Park District staff will construct a pavilion immediately south of the playground that will be accessible to all, including restroom facilities and changing stations for both adults and children. J.B. Esker Construction will do the concrete work associated with the project. 

Althoff said the dirt work at the site should begin in the next few days. Myers said the playground should be in operation this fall.