North Berwyn Park District celebrates Hett Park opening

BERWYN – Families can splash in the water park, climb and play at the Brocato Playground or stroll along the park plaza while enjoying the summer weather at the North Berwyn Park District's newly completed Hett Park. The park, which had a soft opening in 2015, officially opened to the public with a celebration June 4.

Hett Park, 6300 W. 19th St., features a zero-depth water park, which was once the site of Cuyler Pool. When the Park District acquired it, a plan was developed to convert the deep water pool into a water park and turn it into a recreational area that all residents can enjoy. The park is named after Thomas Hett, a former mayor and lawyer who provided free legal counsel in the late 1970s when residents were forming the North Berwyn Park District.

The Park District won a $1.2 million grant from the state to pay for the new park, so no taxpayer dollars were spent, Executive Director Joseph Vallez said. The district received help in winning the grant from state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago. The money was used to pay for the new water park, the new Brocato Playground and the removal of a street that separated the pool and the playground, which was turned into a park plaza that now connects the water park and playground.

The former locker room at Cuyler Pool also was remodeled and repurposed as a studio that holds dance and fitness classes. Vallez said the improvements were much needed because the park was deteriorating.

“This was a facility that was not in the best condition, and the people who saw this location on a daily basis probably weren’t pleased,” he said. “So we got the grant, improved the site and hopefully improved the property value of the neighborhoods surrounding the park. We took an outdated facility and brought it up to standards.”

The Brocato Playground was remodeled with the help of KaBoom!, a national nonprofit organization that helps to build playgrounds in urban settings. More than 400 volunteers and residents constructed the new park in one day.

Vallez said an important benefit of Hett Park is that all the amenities are free. Residents are able to spend the afternoon at the park without leaving their community.

“It’s beautiful. We took a location in a densely populated area and utilized all the space to put in every recreational advantage for people to enjoy,” he said. “There are so many things [in Hett Park] that communities in many urban areas don’t get. You don’t always see this very often.”

Fifth Ward Alderman Cesar Santoy described the park as a “tremendous” addition to Berwyn, and he has received very positive feedback from residents.

“Residents are proud that this is part of their community,” he said. “It’s a reflection of the changing demographics in Berwyn and is a play area for younger children. The city of Berwyn, the North Berwyn Park District and Martin Sandoval pooled resources to make this happen. Three levels of government worked together to create this park.”

The Park District also installed security cameras in Hett Park, which Vallez said are monitored 24/7.

“Any time you have kids around, you want to be as safe as possible. We’ll be installing cameras in our other parks this summer,” he said.