New Aurora park to open Thursday

The Fox Valley Park District will hold a grand reopening ceremony for Westwood Park in Aurora at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

The public is invited to attend. A free hot dog lunch with chips and refreshments will be available to all attendees. Festivities will include an egg hunt, Bags contest, face painting, balloon animals, kids' games and assorted giveaways. Parker - the park district's fox mascot - will also make an appearance.

Renovations to the four-acre neighborhood park include a new playground with a modular play structure, swings and free-standing toys for young children. A highlight is the "Multi Pondo" standing seesaw that combines exercise and fun to keep kids in motion.

A double basketball court has been repaved and seal-coated. Each of the four backboards was refurbished and repainted by local Eagle Scouts, and then outfitted with new rims and nets.

A new, eight-foot wide concrete sidewalk will provide an accessible pathway from Jericho Circle to the pavilion.

Fox Valley Park District Senior Park planner Susan Conant said extensive new landscaping and tree planting will enhance the park's appearance and visitors' enjoyment.

The project is part of the Park District's annual program to renovate at least three parks per year. Community input from residents helped make the project a priority.

Westwood Park is located on Aurora's southwest side off Jericho Road, just west of South Lake Street. For directions or information, contact Fox Valley Park District public relations manager Jeff Long at (630) 966-4527.