Park District of La Grange officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly refurbished Waiola Park earlier this month against the backdrop of children and families enjoying the playground area, which had already been open for a week.
“We’re just really excited to open this park,” Jenny Bechtold, Park District executive director, said before the ceremony. “I know it’s been a long time coming and it just fits in with our mission and vision of providing exceptional facilities. This is a milestone, offering a brand new park for residents.”
The total cost of the refurbishing was $1.2 million, of which $500,000 was picked up by the state in the form of an Open Space Lands Acquisition Development grant.
The project essentially kept the same features available at the park for decades, but made small changes and completely refurbished the existing facilities, including the two T-Ball fields, the basketball court, the soccer field, playground area and walking path that circles the park.
That path was made twice as wide and, for safety reasons, moved 20 feet farther away from 47th Street at its north end.
Also added was a pollinator garden in the north end of the park around the park entrance sign, a fitness station on the playground, and a shelter near the playground.
The plan is in keeping with a key goal of the 2022-2032 Comprehensive Master Plan, officials said. That goal, as listed on the district’s web site, is to continue to “maintain and improve existing parks, facilities, and amenities.” Waiola Park, along with the 5.7 acre Gilbert Park, is classified as a “neighborhood park.”
Park District board President Brian Opyd spoke of the impact the new park would have on families.
“One of the goals of parenting, that you don’t really think about when you first have kids, is you want to make memories for your kids — a lasting legacy in terms of memories,” he said. “I really feel that this park is going to give a lot of families a lot of memories for many years to come and that’s very exciting. I’m so pleased and I just can’t wait to see the kids here year round.”
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One colleague agreed with him.
“I feel great about this,” park Commissioner Brad Carter said. “This is a great thing, having all the kids playing and having a good time, that’s what it’s all about.”
Families in the park were pleased with the way the project turned out.
“It’s fantastic,” said Mandy Levy, who was enjoying the park with her husband, Billy, and their two children. “We feel very lucky because we live in between two of the best La Grange Park district parks (Elm Park being the other). It’s been very exciting this whole summer to wait with anticipation and watch as things have been developing.”
She said she was also happy with the “springy” floor of the playground, referring to the sprung floors used by many modern park districts to reduce injuries.
Another mom agreed.
“We’re very happy to have the park complete and it’s really beautiful,” Caitlin Harrington said, stressing that she uses the park daily with her two children.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.