Fundraising underway for Western Springs playground honoring toddler
Published: Thursday, March 16, 2017 2:10 p.m. CDT
WESTERN SPRINGS – The death of a child is something no parent should ever have to experience. But after the sudden passing of a 2-year-old Western Springs boy last year, a local nonprofit organization is hoping to turn a tragedy into something every child in the community can enjoy.
The Western Springs Friends of the Parks Foundation is working with the Western Springs Park District to rename the playground at Laidlaw Park after Patrick McNaughton, who died in April 2016. In less than two weeks, the group has raised more than $140,000 that will be donated to the Park District for the renovations, which include a pavilion that could be used as an outdoor learning center by Laidlaw Elementary School, as well as brand new playground equipment.
Nathan Gray, a friend of the McNaughton family and a foundation board member, said Patrick loved to play at the park, which is across the street from the family’s home. He said a group of McNaughton’s neighbors and friends wanted to do something to support the family and create a permanent memorial to Patrick.
“He was a happy kid who loved to play and we thought it was a perfect way to honor him,” Gray said. “[The McNaughtons] are incredible parents and just great people, and this is the ultimate tragedy. The family can look out their window and see children playing, so it’s a perfect memorial. If this park can bring a smile to their faces, then it’s worth it.”
Sheila McNaughton, Patrick’s mother, said she is very touched the family’s friends would want to do something like this to remember her son.
“It started off as a small idea, and now it’s turning into a reality. I feel fortunate to live in a community where people want to honor his memory,” she said. “He loved that park, so it’s very fitting. It reflects his spirit, and now I can watch children play and feel like he’s a part of that. Even though he was only 2, he made a big impact on this community.”
While plans for the park renovations have yet to be finalized by the Park District, Executive Director John Robinson thinks it’s a great idea to name the playground for Patrick. He said Laidlaw Park was due for renovations in 2018, but the project was moved up after the foundation proposed the idea to renovate this year as a memorial. The project will be put up for bid in the next week.
“The Board of Directors is on board with honoring this child, and we’re happy to work with [the foundation] on putting this together,” he said.
The park’s current swings will remain, but all the other equipment will be removed to make way for additional slides, a zip line, climbing apparatus and train because Patrick loved trains, Robinson said. The Park District worked with a group of fifth-graders at Laidlaw Elementary School, whose students use the park at recess, on designing some of the new features.
“The students requested an oodle swing, so we’re putting one in,” Robinson said. “It was great to work with the students; they put a lot of time into this, and they made a difference. They had a lot of great ideas.”
Two things the students were adamant about was including a train and making sure the equipment was green because that was Patrick’s favorite color. Erin DeBartolo, principal of Laidlaw Elementary, said she is proud her students put so much thought into honoring Patrick.
“The fifth-graders thought the park should reflect Patrick, and they kept that in mind while making suggestions,” she said. “This makes us feel connected, that we as a school and community can do something to honor this family.”
The foundation is hoping to raise more than $150,000 so construction can begin in June. Gray said the entire community will benefit from the renovated state-of-the-art park, which – if all goes as expected – would open later this summer.
“The family is very appreciative of this idea, and this means the world to me because they’re special people,” he said. “They’ll have to deal with this heartbreak for the rest of their lives, and we just want to support them. The entire community is better because they’re here.”
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How to help
To donate to the Patrick R. McNaughton memorial playground fundraising efforts, visit wsfriendsoftheparks.com.