Just in time for summer, Historic Wagner Farm in Glenview has a new attraction open for kids.
A free play area has opened just west of the Heritage Center on the Glenview Park District farm, 1510 Wagner Road. Visitors can follow a paved walkway from the Heritage Center to a circular hub that intersects with a path to the new playscape and other areas of the farm.
The Farm Adventure Area was made available in recent weeks.
Since then, “We’ve been seeing between three and 400 hundred people a day,” said Jon Kuester, Historic Wagner Farm director. “I think that people are super excited that the farm is open again.”
The playscape was part of an upgrade plan and is considered by the Glenview Park District to be a hybrid between a traditional playground and an interactive agricultural education exhibit.
It includes a pretend farm stand, a sandbox, corn stalk-themed climbing structures and a cow sculpture to sit on for photo opportunities.
The farm currently serves more than 140,000 visitors each year, including school groups and residents. Historic Wagner Farm improvements assist in accommodating the increasing numbers of guests while providing new opportunities to learn, according to Kuester.
“Right now, I think people are excited to do anything they can outside,” Kuester said.
Kuester said the playscape cost about $800,000, with half the funds coming from a state grant.
“Of the $400,000 that was left, $100,000 was donated by the Friends of Wagner Farm. They’re absolutely wonderful,” Kuester said. “I can’t thank them enough for this and everything else they’ve done for the farm over the last 20 years.”
On a recent balmy Thursday early afternoon, parents and friends Casey Cahill of Park Ridge and Colleen Pantazis of Edgebrook brought their children Clare Pantazis, 3, Maggie Pantazis, 9 months, and Johnny Cahill, 3.
“This is just so great that the kids can get out here, it’s a beautiful park,” Colleen Pantazis said.
Casey Cahill said, “I think it’s a great learning opportunity, I love all of the little stops they have next to everything that teaches us all, parents included, about sustainability and where our food comes from.”
Glenview siblings John Santucci, 5, and Hope Santucci, 3, rode together on the tire swing, courtesy of the gentle pushes of their mother Katie Santucci.
“We visit here all of the time,” Santucci said. “We love it. It’s awesome that they did something hands on for the kids outside, which is nice.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter.
