Hinsdale Church School Plans Playground, Seeks Village OK

HINSDALE, IL – St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School in Hinsdale wants to help its youngest students avoid skinning their knees during recess.

The school is proposing a playground northeast of the school's gym, off Vine Street. It is seeking the village's zoning approval.

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Now, students spend recess in a parking lot, which the school closes during funeral masses.

St. Jogues preschoolers have a playground, but the other children don't.

The proposed playground would be for children from kindergarten through third grade.

"We thought about the children that are least aware of their surroundings when they're running around on an asphalt parking lot for recess," the school's principal, Carol Burlinksi, told the Village Board on Monday.

Trustees said neighbors had expressed concern for lighting.

The playground's designer, Joe Pizzuto, said the plan doesn't include lighting.

"I didn't want to rile anybody up, so that's why we didn't add any light," he said.

The playground is strictly for the school's use, not the neighborhood's, Burlinski said.

The trustees plan to vote on the proposal in two weeks.

The school serves children up to eighth grade.