Playtime ends for Angel Towne playground in Algonquin

Children have shared laughs and enjoyed playtime with friends and family at Angel Towne playground for almost 30 years. The wooden structure at Algonquin’s Towne Park was built by an army of volunteers in 1994 over several days.

Last fall, the community gathered to say goodbye to the playground, as it is set to be torn down and replaced. A redevelopment plan for the 7.6-acre park is in motion at 100 Jefferson St., just steps from the village’s downtown area. Construction equipment is in place, and some preliminary work is underway.

Algonquin was awarded a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant from the state of Illinois for the project.

According to the village, the project includes a large inclusive playground, a picnic shelter, a looped trail with an accessible connection to all improvements, a pingpong table, chessboard picnic tables, scenic overlooks, and permeable and memorial paver areas.

Algonquin Village President Debby Sosine said it will be a special place for the community, and officials are “preserving memories and experiences” while creating a new gathering space.

According to the village’s website, the local match for the project’s first phase is estimated at $1.6 million. A second phase also is scheduled to start in 2024 with additional improvements. The cost for both phases is projected to be $4.3 million.

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