Des Plaines celebrates grand opening of Sesquicentennial Park

The Des Plaines Park District on May 4 celebrated the grand opening of Sesquicentennial Park, 255 Grove St., along with The Friends of the Parks, the Crime Stoppers, city officials, and friends and families from the neighborhood.

Des Plaines Park Board of Commissioners President James F. Grady cut the ribbon on the park sign, and Executive Director John Hecker welcomed everyone to their newly redesigned park.

“We hope this will be a destination for the neighborhood, and that kids of all ages will come out and play,” Hecker said.

Children and families enjoyed light refreshments, an alphabet scavenger hunt, free play on the ADA compliant playground equipment, a craft, and family Frisbee fun in the park’s open space.

Sesquicentennial Park has an ADA accessible playground that includes a play structure for two 2 to 5 year olds and a separate structure for 5 to 12 year olds, both with age-appropriate slides, climbers and towers on an engineered wood-fiber safety surface. The equipment is designed to help kids stay physically fit in a challenging, creative, inclusive atmosphere.

The park also is outfitted with a new swing set that has two cut-proof belt swings, one bucket-swing, and an ADA compliant swing. A new picnic table in the play area, a refurbished gazebo, and new benches along the walkway complete the playground.

To see pictures of Sesquicentennial Park, visit www.DPParks.org. For more information about Des Plaines Park District summer classes, events, and facilities, call (847) 391-5700.