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Burr Ridge Park District trees are one-of-a-kind
John Hines of Brees Studios, Murphysboro, pieces together the trunk of what will become the focal point of the new addition at Burr Ridge Community Center. | Sandy Illian Bosch—Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 22, 2013 2:47AM
BURR RIDGE — Inside and outside at the Burr Ridge Community Center, one-of-a-kind sculptures that mimic Burr Ridge’s many majestic oak trees are being installed.
“It’s definitely the first tree like this,” Matt Wilson of Cre8Play in Minneapolis said of the Tree of Life play structure designed for the Community Center playground.
Wilson stopped by the park, on North Frontage Road just outside the park district headquarters, to see the result of his company’s work. From a distance the structure looks like a tree, but a closer look reveals places to climb, things to explore and objects to discover.
Eventually the Tree of Life will boast a live roof of vines and ivy, which will grow from a planter mounted atop the play sculpture.
Superintendent of Recreation Jim Pacanowski said the Tree of Life is the crowning glory of the new playground, set to open to visitors this year.
“We’re thrilled,” he said.
The park district’s homage to its namesake trees continues inside, where a crew from Brees Studio in Murphysboro is spending the better part of a week installing what eventually will look like the trunk and canopy of a 60-year-old burr oak.
“When you stand in this hallway it will be like standing under a tree,” Pacanowski said.
The tree will be the focal point of the hallway and lounge area that connects the old part of the Community Center and its new addition. Carefully installed outlets will allow the park district to decorate the tree’s branches for various holidays.
“It’s going to become our Christmas oak,” Pacanowski said.
