The 21-year-old “Paulyground” at Alpine Park, 950 Alpine Road in Rockford, will be replaced and updated by the Rockford Park District. (Photo provided by Rockford Park District)

Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Rockford Park District will use a $600,000 state grant to replace a popular and accessible playground that officials say has aged past its useful lifecycle.

The money was awarded Tuesday as part of $55 million in state grants supporting 111 park projects.

In Rockford, the money will go toward replacing the 21-year-old “Paulyground” at Alpine Park, 950 Alpine Road.

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The 72-acre Alpine Park is heavily utilized by children of all ages and abilities, the Park District said. “Paulyground,” which is named in honor of former Park District landscape architect Mike Pauly, is the district’s first inclusive-designed playground.

Pauly led the construction of the playground in 2003. He died in November 2007 in a motorcycle crash at age 42.

“Playground improvements will ensure that this location will continue to provide interactive opportunities for children of all abilities to learn and play together in the outdoors,” Tom Lind, project manager, said in a news release.

Renovations include replacing playground equipment with new inclusive play features and surfacing.

There will also be accessibility improvements to the restrooms, the addition of court games or bag toss, new accessible pathways, outdoor exercise equipment, stormwater drainage improvements and improved pedestrian safety features. The total cost is about $1.36 million.

The Park District said it will gather more feedback from residents before it finalizes the design and establishing a timeline for construction.