Riis Park latest playground refurbished in 'Chicago Plays!' program

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended a ribbon-cutting at a refurbished playground on the city's Northwest Side as part of the "Chicago Plays!" program.

The new playground at Riis Park in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood includes custom equipment and natural pathways. The $875,000 playground was paid for with $850,000 in NATO funds and $25,000 in Park District funds.

"Parks like Riis are gathering places for neighbors and friends; investing in these community hubs help us to strengthen neighborhoods in every corner of the city," Emanuel said.

The program is part of the mayor's comprehensive plan to build and improve parks throughout the city so that every Chicagoan in within a ten-minute walk of a park.