McCollum Park Closed Amid Playground Removal, Replacement

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — McCollum Park closed in late February as crews were set to begin dismantling the old playground and prepping for park upgrades. The playground equipment will be given to Kids Around the World, refurbished and donated to communities in need.

Two new playgrounds will be added to McCollum Park, one for preschool children and another for school-age children.

The park's preschool play area will have a cooperative "team totter," more swings, a structure with slides and two playhouses. One of these playhouses draws inspiration from the nearby Downers Grove Fire Station.

On the play area designed for school-age children, kids can ride a "zoom twist" merry-go-round with climbing ropes that lead to its apex. A three-story play tower will include ramps to make it more accessible and a 40-foot side-by-side track ride will feature an accessible swing seat with a tall back.

In addition to new playgrounds, the project will include a new pavilion, updated horseshoe and baggo courts and a modernized fitness area.

Projects to enhance McCollum Park have been in the works since 2022, when new splash areas and pickleball courts were added.

In 2024, the Downers Grove Park District received a $600,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) to help fund the McCollum Park upgrades.

This marks the first time in 20 years that McCollum Park's playground has undergone significant upgrades. A splash area and mini-golf course called Adventure Falls Sprayground and Mini Golf opened at McCollum Park in 2024.