Princeton Park District receives $216,000 grant for all-inclusive playground at Zearing Park

The Princeton Park District was awarded a $216,000 grant from Illinois' Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program to build an all-inclusive playground at Zearing Park.

This significant investment will create a welcoming and accessible play space for children of all abilities, the park district said.

The all-inclusive playground will feature a variety of play equipment designed to accommodate children with disabilities, including: adaptive swings, sensory play areas and wheelchair-accessible play structures.

The Princeton Park District said it is dedicated to providing inclusive recreational opportunities for all community members. The new playground will not enhance only the quality of life for local families but also attract visitors to the area, the park district said.

The existing playground at Zearing Park has well served its time. The current playground dates back to 1992.

“This round of OSLAD grants funds projects big and small, from small towns, like us to the larger metropolitan areas.” said Tammy Lange, executive director of the Princeton Park District. “It takes a lot of hard work and determination to build new outdoor spaces. I’m glad (the Illinois Department of Natural Resources) can help us make this happen for this community.”

“We worked on this application for nearly 10 months, prior to submission in late August,” Lange said. “The announcement has come almost a month earlier than we anticipated and what a Christmas gift this has been.”

The park district said it is excited to break ground in the spring of 2025 and will share updates with the community as it moves forward.