Toddlers and nannies rely on Grant Park playground doomed by museum
BY MARK J. KONKOL
Chicago Sun-Times
June 13, 2008

Before naptime Thursday morning, a bunch of New Eastside nannies lugged local rugrats to the Grant Park playground that Mayor Daley bullied the City Council into letting his wealthy friends replace with their pet project -- the relocated Chicago Children's Museum.

Nanny Emily pushed little Keira on the swings. Nanny Marta fed raspberries to a boy who likes to be called "Super Spy Man." And Nanny Ashley watched tiny Ines ride the horsey.

This is where New Eastside nannies let the little ones run around like maniacs until they're too exhausted to holler anymore.

There are swings and slides and monkey bars on a bouncy rubber mat ringed by shade trees.

"We come here every day, sometimes twice a day -- before and after naps," Nanny Ashley says. "It's perfect. Ines gets to interact with other kids. She's an only child. We know all the other kids. They come every day, too. It's like a big playgroup over here. Lots of nannies."

In September, New Eastside moms were miffed at Daley for accusing their high-rise neighborhood of protesting the kids' museum in Grant Park because they're elitist bigots who hate kids. [More]

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