Kenny Jacob Rudin Playground Project
The Deerfield Park District is pleased to announce a partnership with the Rudin family foundation and their friends to renovate the playground located at Brickyards Park and name it as the Kenny Jacob Rudin Playground.
“We are honored to work with the Rudin family to pay tribute to Kenny with the playground renovation project. The playground project will serve as a long-lasting tribute to Kenny and all of the people who had the pleasure to know him.” Jeff Nehila, Executive Director of the Deerfield Park District.
The Rudin family moved to Deerfield 24 years ago to raise their family. Kenny grew up attending grade school and middle school in Highland Park and high school at Deerfield High School with the support of Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED). His family is deeply rooted in the Deerfield community and after Kenny’s sudden and unexpected passing in January of this year, Kenny’s younger brother David, currently a senior at the University of Illinois, and his close friends suggested talking to the Deerfield Park District to find a special way to remember Kenny.
In discussions with the park district, the family shared stories about Kenny’s love of all parks, especially the swings. They have many happy memories of him enjoying the multiple parks in Deerfield. Brickyards Park is a perfect fit for this playground tribute to Kenny because of their vivid 4th of July fireworks celebration memories. Through this project, the Rudin’s hope to share Kenny’s love of the parks with other families, while focusing on inclusive options including sensory integration and adaptive equipment that support play for individuals with and without disabilities.
Scott Rudin shared that, “The Rudin family is overwhelmed and forever grateful to the Deerfield and Highland Park communities and the support they provided Kenny during his 24 short years. We are forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support during these past few extremely difficult months.”