- Credibility:
HERMOSA — Hermosa residents and groups are trying to raise $10,000 to upgrade Kelvyn Park, the neighborhood’s largest park, so it’ll be more kid-friendly.
The 10-acre park has greenery and a playground, but it doesn’t have specific, enhanced programs, said Lee Helmer, executive director of the Hermosa Neighborhood Association and vice president of the Kelvyn Park Advisory Council. Now, the neighborhood group and the advisory council are fundraising so they can create a native garden and a nature play space for kids.
The first fundraising event is a Neighbor’s Night Out, where attendees can meet neighbors, enjoy food and enter a raffle to raise money for the park. It is 6-9 p.m. Friday at The Levee, 4035 W. Fullerton Ave.
The event is free to attend. Register online.
Supporters can also donate any time online.
“I think along with the enhancements, it’s basically an investment in our youth,” said Lee Helmer, the neighborhood group’s executive director.
The park is the largest natural area in Hermosa and serves a majority Latinx community and many low-income residents, Helmer said.
The garden and play space will bring more recreational and educational activities to the park, allowing visitors to learn more about gardening and native plants, said Casey Guerra, president of the park’s advisory council.
“It’s just another added incentive to the families in the community,” Guerra said.
Credit: ProvidedKelvyn Park also received a grant earlier this year for field house renovations.
The park’s field house and auditorium, 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave., will receive roof repairs and accessibility upgrades.
“We care deeply about our park community and want to increase the quality of life for our neighbors,” Guerra previously said.
The field house renovations are in the planning stages with the Park District, and they’ll focus on accessibility improvements, roof repair and interior enhancements, Helmer said.
“The Kelvyn Park Advisory and the Hermosa Neighborhood Association are doing the best we can to enhance the park and our community,” Helmer said.
Guerra said volunteering can be a scary word, but she encourages residents to get involved in any capacity, whether that be helping out at monthly park cleanups, coming to events like Neighbor’s Night Out or cleaning up their own block.
“There’s power in numbers,” Guerra said. “Definitely express your concerns to the powers that be in our community. If they don’t know, how are we supposed to get it fixed?”
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