TRENDS

Indoor Parks—A New Trend?

By Kathie Mitchell

Don't you wish, as the walls begin to close in on you during those long, cold, rainy months, that you could just get outside and let your kids run to the park? What if a park district brought the playground inside? And what if this indoor park had the same slides and fun climbing equipment, but with the benefit of climate control and nice big windows to keep you in touch with the outdoors? Would you pay for the privilege of going there? You bet, say the parents who found such a playground at a suburban park district. Port West Ridge opened earlier this year in Highland Park and could be the first of many indoor playgrounds of its kind. "I think that's the trend of the future," said Kay Forest, executive director of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. She wasn't aware of any other park districts with an indoor tot lot like Port West Ridge but expect there will be more. "Probably Highland Park just picked up on a new trend and got the jump on it." Port West Ridge is really an outdoor park, with the same equipment you would find outside, built in a 1,500 square-foot area indoors. "That's the main difference between us and Discovery Zone [commercial indoor play areas]," said Linda Anderson, center supervisor for Highland Park District.

Parents can watch or play with their kids at the new Park District of Highland Park's indoor tot lot, Port West Ridge. Indoor playgrounds may be the wave of the future.

"We were frantically looking for something to go to," said Deerfield mom Josie Ripkin, who was at Port West Ridge when it opened December 1. She has two children, ages 6 and 2, and finds there is too much commotion at the commercial pay-for-play indoor play areas. She feels it isn't too expensive to pay a $25 fee for ten visits to Port West Ridge; it's worth it just having the opportunity to get in the car and take the kids somewhere to play. It also gives her a chance to socialize with other moms. Port West Ridge at West Ridge Park is designed with a nautical theme and includes an observation tower, with climbing rope, stairs and a pole to slide down, and a pirate ship with a slide. Sails hanging across the ceiling add a brightness to the room. as do whales and bright colored stuffed fish decorations. Built-in benches provide a comfortable place for parents to chat while they watch their kids play.

Children can follow a treasure map on the wall to discover the hidden treasure chest containing plastic fish and other fun sea toys.

The room is open on a drop-in basis from 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesdays. It is also available for private party rentals.

Port West Ridge cost $20,000 and plans are to rotate the equipment to an outdoor park in three years and bring in new equipment.

"There are very few stay-at-home parents anymore, and Port West Ridge gives residents a place to be together in the evenings and weekends," said Park District Director Connie Newport. "From a public standpoint, there is a real demand to provide these kinds of opportunities through special programming and facilities. Port West Ridge gives families a place to spend quality time together."

About the Author

Kathie Mitchell is editor of the "Suburban Parent," a section of Pioneer Press Newspapers. This article is reprinted with permission.