 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
By Jack Claes A child's imagination is seemingly boundless. It gives him an opportunity to create and bring his fantasy world alive. The Elk Grove Park District's Pirates' Cove Theme Park gives youngsters that kind of creative opportunity. A novel fantasy playground, the park is tucked away on a little more than two acres of land in the heart of Elk Grove Village. It enables youngsters to imaginatively create their own playworld in which fantasies of pirate ships, western towns and circus delights can become nothing less than reality. "We were looking to build a facility that would allow kids to be creative, but in a safe environment," said Larry Borokowski, park board president. "While Pirates' Cove is a controlled environment, it's safe and still allows kids to be creative." Selecting a theme The Cove was constructed four years ago. A primary key in its development was to incorporate themes which would keep youngsters involved in creative play while drawing on their imaginative resources. The district recognized the idea of a neighborhood "theme park" as a trend of the future and subsequently developed Pirates' Cove. A 500-square -foot pirate ship was originally designed to sail youngsters back to the days of adventurous pirateers. An authentic model of an 18th Century pirate ship was built with one Illinois Parks and Recreation 9 July/August 1985 side exposed for entrance to the hull. Inside, a concession stand and benches are available for relaxation. To augment youngsters' imaginations, an accessible dungeon-like enclosure is also obtainable. Stairs to the deck are enhanced by aquariums built into the wall. While the pirate theme is the focus of the Cove, youngsters can also further their fantasy with other themes in the playland. Other themes The Wild West theme enables youngsters to ride a stagecoach back to an era without modern-day luxuries. An old western town setup allows them to enter the world of cowboy hats, sheriff's badges and saloon showdowns. The Old West physically challenges youngsters by providing windows, bars and rooftops on which to climb. A musical merry-go-round carousel enables children to enjoy amusement park amenities in their own neighborhood park. On specific days, the circus theme is augmented with clowns and balloons to capture the true circus atmosphere.
Persons can also visit the Fun Stage, where amateur and professional acts perform. From jugglers to clowns, the stage adds yet another option for all youngsters and parents. Puttering about a specially designed water pond in a motor-operated bumper boat, youngsters are able to splash around on a hot day. A popular attraction, the bumper boats offer them amusement park amenities in a neighborhood facility. Children may further the fantasy by blasting off to the spaceship theme. A reconstructed spaceship is complete with a talking computer to answer kids' cosmic questions. A videotaped blastoff and rocket-like movements encourage youngsters to imagine life on other planets. Landscaping and adult services Surrounding the authentic pirate's ship and other amusement amenities are non-threatening waves of sodded berms and multicolored flower beds. The "playscape within a landscape" also utilizes a host of green shrubberies and flowering trees to make the park visually attractive to patrons. A walk through the extensively landscaped park is relaxing and encouraged for parents while youngsters play. A sitting area is also provided for persons wishing to take a break from a day's activities. Extensive program opportunities for adults, as well as children, are available at the Cove. Hawaiian luaus and country-western nights have been staged by the district to peak adult interest. Private rental parties are possibilities for all occasions. Plays, shows and concerts can be held at the outdoor stage. Scavenger hunts, buried treasure searches and gold rush days have proved to be enjoyable activities for the youngsters. Fiscal considerations Coupled with a child's fantasy of Illinois Parks and Recreation 10 July/August 1985 Pirates' Cove, however, was the adult reality of a tight fiscal policy. The project was initially estimated at more than $750,000 from construction companies in the Chicago area. The district came to realize that public park and recreation programs would have to start "earning their own keep" because of current trends toward recreation cutbacks. While the district realized the facility would pay for itself by charging a nominal entrance fee, a drastic cut in costs had to be implemented to even break ground for the project. In doing so, the park district employed ideas designed by students in trade schools and youths from Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA) programs. Designs and constructions developed in-house also made it possible to afford the unique facility at $220,000. A $1.25 admission pays the entrance for children ages 3 to 12. Adults may enter the park free of charge. Pirates' Cove has been a success since its opening in June, 1981. More than 24,000 children visited the Cove the first year and figures doubled last year. This season, officials anticipate that nearly 50,000 youngsters will discover the treasure hidden in the heart of Elk Grove Village. Challenging children with physical outlets is important to the park district, but stimulating youngsters' imaginations is the key to the district's innovative success. By providing a neighborhood theme park, the district is furnishing quality playgrounds through using an agency's limited income in the most instrumental way.
Illinois Parks and Recreation 11 July/August 1985 |
|
|
