Hannah's Playground at Northside Park, Breese IL

Location: 1039 N. Walnut St., Breese, IL 62230

Website: https://breese.org/parks-fields/

Playground Ground Cover: Rubber mats

Amenities: Swimming pool, ball diamonds, tennis courts, shelters, multiple playgrounds, stage for plays and performances.

Hannah’s Playground is named for Hannah Berndsen, the daughter of local residents who died in 2012. Hannah had cerebral palsy and like most little kids loved playing on swings and on playgrounds. But being in a wheelchair inhibited Hannah. While she had an adaptive swing in her own yard, she was unable to enjoy playing with other children in the city park.

Following her death, her parents coordinated with Unlimited Play, an organization founded by Natalie Blakemore—whose own son uses a wheelchair—to establish a local adaptive playground. With the help of many wonderful volunteers and after months of fundraising, Hannah’s Playground became a reality.

The playground not only accommodates children with disabilities but parents and grandparents who might be in wheelchairs as well. The spongy surface is flat for easy mobility and there are low ramps for better access to equipment. Swings have adaptive seats with high backs. There are special Braille panels, textures, and fragrances for the visually impaired; and outdoor devices that make sounds like drums and marimbas. A safety fence surrounds the entire area and there is a covered pavilion and restroom next to the playground. It has a farm theme with several elements looking like barns and tractors.  

Rocking tractor

Musical Instrument area that is partly shaded

Modified merry go round and swing area with 2 modified expression swings

Restrooms

Rolley slide and boulders on the large play structure

Also at the park are several other playgrounds. They are older but still in good condition.  

I love these diggers! And you rarely see tire swings anymore.

It's terrible that they have pea gravel but at least they have this fun scooper!

A stage for outdoor theatre productions

The Breese Public Pool is in the middle of the park. The splash pad is amazing with a lot of different features including water guns, pop jets, sprayers, and buckets. The pool is a basic L shape and older but still functional. 

Here are some pictures of the pool and splash pad during the summer when it is operating (taken from their Facebook page).

Such a great park with lots of playgrounds!