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$5 Million 'World Class' Playground Coming to Colene Hoose Elementary

The natural playground rethinks the entire 16-acre grounds as a place for learning, exploration and play, according to Unit 5.
The natural playground at Colene Hoose School in Normal rethinks the entire 16-acre grounds as a place for learning, exploration and play, according to Unit 5.

Colene Hoose Elementary School will soon be home to a “world class” natural playground with the project entirely funded by a donation from a Hoose alum.

Charlie Jobson, a longtime resident of Normal, offered the donation in honor of his parents. The Unit 5 school board on Wednesday night voted unanimously to accept the gift that totals about $5 million.

Unit 5 Superintendent Kristen Weikle said the project will be the first of its kind.

“When we say this is a world class natural playground, it is. I don’t think there’s any other U.S. public school in the entire country that will have something like what we have here in Bloomington-Normal,” she said.

"It’s pretty exciting to think we’re on the cusp and cutting edge of something new."
Kristen Weikle

A natural playground integrates play spaces into the surrounding environment. Rather than traditional playground equipment, the design often incorporates elements of nature, like rocks, trees, and water. Children are encouraged to develop creative interactions with nature rather than be guided by prescribed activities.

The natural playground at Colene Hoose will be based on a design by Helle Nebelong, a landscape architect based in Copenhagen. Nebelong is regarded as a pioneer in the field of natural play, and has designed playgrounds and sensory gardens throughout Europe.

Weikle told the board that Nebelong’s initial design underwent some revision after feedback from Unit 5. The current plan for the school, 600 Grandview Drive in Normal, includes a soccer field along with other components like outdoor classrooms, areas for water play, and an amphitheater.

Prior to the vote, board member Kentrica Coleman asked if all areas of the natural playground would be accessible to students with special needs.

Colene Hoose principal Adam Zbrozek said the importance of accessibility to all people is integral to Nebelong’s concept of “universal design.”

“No matter which area they’re in, every student should be able to access and utilize that space,” Zbrozek said.

Weikle said that it’s not just students who will benefit from the project.

“We really are looking at this being a place for people across the country and perhaps the world to come to Bloomington-Normal to see the generous gift and what it does and what it means for our students and community. It’s pretty exciting to think we’re on the cusp and cutting edge of something new.”

Construction on the playground that will span all 16 acres surrounding the school is set to begin in August. The district estimates the bulk of the project will be completed by Oct. 15, with some planting on hold until Spring 2022.

In addition to the $5 million gift, the Jobson Family Foundation will provide $70,000 a year for the playground’s maintenance through the first three years. The fund will pay the salary of a dedicated arborist/horticulturist who will be hired by the district to tend the grounds.

Sarah Nardi was a correspondent at WGLT. She left the station in 2024.