More than 200 people, many of them children, attended the Jewett Park 2.0 project completion ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday in Deerfield.
After the official event, featuring a pair of oversized scissors, children were given the OK to partake of free refreshments and make their way to the playground.
After about an hour, it started to rain sending many of those in attendance to take shelter at the nearby Deerfield Public Library.
Deerfield Park District Executive Director Annemarie Flaherty said Jewett Park is, “definitely the heart of the community, right here, not just because the train station is here, but just this large space,” with “ball fields, to open space, to playgrounds, our community center here. It’s really the hub where everybody comes to and thinks of Deerfield, at this park here.”
Flaherty also pointed out the park’s new amphitheater concert pavilion, with sloped grounds in front of the bandshell.
“People love recreating, congregating, seeing the outdoor space, playing in it,” she said. “Even if somebody does not come and use some of the amenities in here, driving past a beautiful outdoor space brings a smile to their face. It really does. It benefits everybody.”
According to the Park District, the playground is part of the Jewett Park 2.0 renovation project and is funded by a $600,000 Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant.
Improvements include a rock crawl, six slides with heights up to 16 feet, a rope tunnel, a merry-go-round, a gaga ball pit, handlebars, spinners and swings.
Jay Zahn, Deerfield’s director of parks, said the renovations started in March. This year’s annual Halloween Hoopla Family Fun Fest was held inside of the Sachs Recreation Center on Oct. 19 because the October event’s usual location at Jewett Park was under construction.
“I am very happy,” Zahn said. “It’s been a fun process, but it’s been a long process. A little longer than we expected, but a typical construction project.”
Intergenerational families made memories together, including Maria Clarke, 4, of Lincoln Park, and grandparent Jim Clarke of Deerfield. Both made music on the colorful xylophone, among several instrument playground equipment choices.
“Everyone is having fun here,” the elder Clarke said. “Look at all the range of ages. It’s very energetic.”
Matilda Blan, 9, of Deerfield, was seen trying a swing in the company of her mother Stephanie Keough.
Matilda said of the park, “I like it,” with a preference for the twisty slides.
The renovated Jewett Park is, “a great place,” Keough said. “I’m really excited about all the new equipment.”
Dan and Laurel Segal of Deerfield accompanied their children Alexa, 8, and Sabrina, 6.
“They did an amazing job,” Dan Segal said. “The kids are loving it, and we are so happy that it’s completed now.”
Kellen and Kayla Cohn of Highwood interacted with their children on the new equipment.
“It’s a great community,” with, “great people around here,” Kayla Cohn said.
“Everybody’s invested in the welfare of others,” Peter Bahe of Deerfield said.
Liam Marshall, 8, of Deerfield, said, “This is the best playground ever. I love this playground. This is my favorite playground now.”
Mackenzie McFarlane, 3, of Deerfield, spent a lot of time playing in the stationary colorful train feature.
Her father Patrick said, “It’s a huge improvement. It looks great. It’s honestly fantastic. They put a lot of work into it, and it looks really, really nice.”
