DeKalb grade school children are going to be able to take part in every child’s dream—designing their own park.

Tuesday, Feb. 23, has been designated Design Day, the name officially given to the day during which DeKalb’s Chesebro Park will be redesigned.

Linda Higgins, an organizer of the event, said Chesebro Park, located at Taylor and Garden Streets, east of Seventh Street, was chosen because “it was the best area for this type of playground.”

She also said the playground equipment needed to be replaced. There is currently a baseball diamond, a basketball court and playground equipment which Higgins describes as “falling apart”.

Between 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m., John Dean, park designer from Robert S. Leathers and Associates, will visit three DeKalb schools: Tyler, Littlejohn and DeKalb Christian. He will be visiting with students to find out what they would like in the playground. Higgins said most of the children’s input would be used in the final design.

On the afternoon of that day, Dean will be drawing the playground design at Jefferson Elementary School. The final design will be unveiled at 7 p.m. at the Clinton-Rosette Middle School, where everyone is invited.

Higgins encourages everyone to come to the event. “Come out and see. This is a community project, and this would be a good time to get involved, right at the beginning.”

A fundraiser also has begun to aid in funding the playground. Barbland T-shirts and sweatshirts are being sold. The name for the shirts was created by third grader Sofia Blake, and the logo was designed by DeKalb High School student Marty Vittone. To order a shirt call Sue DeVries at 758-2802.