ROCHELLE — Rochelle’s popular KidsGround play area at Cooper Park will soon be taken down as the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District prepares to replace the playground activity center with a new contemporary facility this summer.
According to park director Jackee Ohlinger, the district is partnering with the Rochelle Fire Department, KEC Fire Science Program and NIU Exercise Science Club to begin the removal of the KidsGround play structure.
“The KEC students will have an opportunity utilize KidsGround as a training obstacle course this Saturday, April 6,” Ohlinger said. “After training, the groups will work together to start dismantling the structure.”
Park district staff will be installing safety fencing around the perimeter of the playground this week and closing off the entire area to the public. Next Monday maintenance employees will continue taking down and removing the various structures.
Ohlinger said photos and memorabilia from the original build will be removed and saved for families and to incorporate into the design of the new playground.

“Anyone interested in a sentimental piece such as the monster painting, please call the park office at 815-562-7813,” she added.
New design
The new play structure was created from the imaginations of Rochelle’s Elementary School students. On one side of the park, will be an area for 2 to 5-year-olds that will be fenced for safety from the parking lot. This area will incorporate adaptive swings, bucket swings, an expression swing, spring toy, a four-person see-saw, wiggle bridges, slides, climbers, hops, tunnels, a train and many more features.
The other area will be geared for 5 to 12-year-olds and will feature a 100’ zip line, ninja obstacle course, rock wall, Apollo spinner, high/low monkey bars, twisty slides, triple slides, net climbers/tunnels along with racing ropes and a haunted castle with cat walk.
Rebuild volunteers
The KidsGround community rebuild is slated for June 20-25 with all members of the public invited to pitch in and provide some labor on the construction, similar to how the original playground was built in the early 90s.
The design company will organize the building process during the rebuild and several local members of the community will be leading various aspects of the operation.
“Anyone willing to volunteer can text @kidsground to 81010 or call 815-562-7813 or visit www.rochelleparkdistrict.org/kids-ground to sign up,” Ohlinger added. “Rochelle is fortunate to continue the legacy with another community build project. This custom design play structure is unique, safe and all-inclusive where children can grow physically, socially and cognitively.”