Playground in Streator’s Bing Armstrong Park to be removed

The playground at Bing Armstrong Park on Wasson Street in Streator will be closed and removed.

At a meeting Wednesday, the Streator City Council approved the recommendation from the Park and Open Spaces Board.

The decision follows concerns about the park’s underuse and the city’s inability to fund necessary repairs for the outdated playground equipment. The park board previously had noted that the equipment, which is unsafe and poorly maintained, presents a risk to users.

With the City Council’s approval, the playground will be closed and the equipment removed immediately.

This move aims to address safety concerns as well as redirect resources to other park areas used more frequently by the community and in better condition.

“This is sorely needed because that playground equipment has been neglected for years, and it’s just not safe anymore,” council member David Reed said.