From the Editors
If you like to take your toddler to a school playground in your neighborhood during the week, you may want to consider visiting a public park or playground instead — at least when school is in session.
We spoke to officials in several different school districts in the Champaign-Urbana area and while many don’t have an official policy on public use of their playgrounds, most of them typically agree on one thing.
School playgrounds are only open to the public outside of school hours, when students are not present.
That means some playgrounds are even off limits to the public at the end of the day if they offer after school childcare programs.
Here’s what each district had to say when we asked them their policy on playgrounds and public use.
Urbana
“Our overall rule is our school playgrounds are dedicated for USD #116 student use during school days when students are present.”
Champaign
“We don’t have a specific policy or rule.”
Monticello
“Ours are open for use outside of school hours. We would not be amenable to public use during school hours as this could be a disruption to the school day.”
Heritage (Homer)
“OK to play on playground and use school track when school is not in session.”
St. Joseph
“At St Joe Grade School our playgrounds are open for public use outside the normal school day.”
CUSD 7 (Tolono)
“We do not have a set policy for that specific request but if someone was planning on a large gathering, then one would hope/ assume that they would get permission before having some form of a family reunion and the like; but if someone is bringing their child to play randomly, we don’t request prior approval.”
Mahomet
Middletown (Kindergarten): “The playgrounds are closed during the school day – which includes the hours of 3-6 p.m. to accommodate our after school program.”
Sangamon (first-second grade): “It is open after 6:00 p.m. when Kids Club dismisses.”
Lincoln Trail (third-fifth grade): “Our playground is available to the public during non-school hours.”