From the Archives: Local Kids Have Been Playing at Virginia Reed Park since 1948

Take a glimpse into Lemont’s History courtesy of the Lemont Area Historical Society.

The Lemont Area Historical Society has generously offered to share photos and accompanying information with Patch readers each week, depicting people, places and things from the village's storied past. This week's featured photo shows future Lemont leaders discussing the important events of the day on the merry-go-round at Virginia Reed Park at 51 Eureka Drive in the 1960s. The park opened in June 1948 after several Lemont moms got together to build a neighborhood park for their children. The group, later known as the Singer-Warner Mothers Club, cleared the land, raised funds and purchased teeter-totters, a sandbox, horizontal bars and a slide. The park was named in memory of the club's first president, Virginia Dillman Reed, who led the …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Virginia Reed Neighbors Weigh in on Future of Lemont's 'Train Park'

A neighborhood meeting was held July 23 to discuss upcoming renovations to the park, located at 51 E. Eureka Drive.

Neighbors of Lemont's Virginia Reed Park have spoken, and one thing is clear: the town's beloved "Choo-Choo Train Park" must stay. A neighborhood meeting was held July 23 to discuss upcoming renovations to Virginia Reed, where the train-themed playground equipment is now more than 20 years old. Lemont Park District maintenance administrator Dawn Banks said about $200,000 has been set aside for upgrades, which would include the demolition of current equipment and installation of new play pieces and landscaping—all of which must be up to code with the Americans with Disabilities Act. "The equipment has some damage and is getting old at this point," Banks said. "We're in the early stages of planning a redesign of the park, and we'd like some …

• Photos (5)

Lemont Park District Seeks Residents' Input on Virginia Reed Park Renovations

A neighborhood meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, July 23, at Virgina Reed Park, 51 E. Eureka Drive.

Lemont Park District Seeks Residents' Input on Virginia Reed Park Renovations

A neighborhood meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, July 23, at Virgina Reed Park, 51 E. Eureka Drive.

The Lemont Park District is seeking resident input as it moves forward with renovations to Virginia Reed Park. The park, located at 51 E. Eureka, is aging and in serious need of updates, according to Dawn Banks, maintenance administrator for the Lemont Park District. The current playground is trained-themed, and features slides, swings and a jungle gym. "The equipment has some damage and is getting old at this point," Banks said. "We're in the early stages of planning a redesign of the park, and we'd like some input from residents about what they'd like to see." A neighborhood meeting will be held at Virginia Reed on Monday, July 23, at 6 p.m. Park district officials will be on hand to facilitate a discussion on the park redesign, as well …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)