Klehm Arboretum to Receive $390,000 for New ‘Natural Playground’

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford’s Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden is receiving $390,000 in state funding to build a new “natural playground.”

The new play space will be built next to the existing Kid’s Creek water feature and splash pad at the attraction, located at 2715 S Main Street.

Construction is expected to begin this Fall.

Klehm’s executive director, Alex Mills, said, “We really hope it just increases the access to nature that children and their families have, especially in the spring and fall. When we have visitors to Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, we want to add more variety, more things to do, more outdoor play, more exercise, and this fits the bill for all of those.”

The playground is scheduled to open in 2025.