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, bu

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