Lockport Township softball complex to open

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Updated: October 28, 2011 11:59AM

The grand opening for the Hassert Park Softball Complex will be Saturday morning, and the public will get a look at the newest improvements to the 80-acre park off Renwick Road.

The free event is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Brent Hassert Park, on the south side of Renwick between Illinois 53 and Weber Road.

The Lockport Township Park District will open three softball fields, concession stands, a splash park, batting cages, a playground for ages 2 to 5 and a playground for ages 5 to 12.

In 2009, the park district opened the first phase of the park, which included soccer fields. This weekend, the opening of the second and third phases will be much bigger, said Sue Micklevitz, park district executive director.

For these most recent phases, the park district has received two state grants.

The district received two grants in two years, $400,000 for each phase, Micklevitz said.

Brent Hassert Park consists of 80 acres total, 33 of which now are developed. The Lockport Township Fire Protection District operates its Station No. 6 on 3 acres. The park district is looking to develop the remaining 40 acres in the future, Micklevitz said.

Saturday’s activities include free hot dogs, chips, drinks, popcorn and snow cones for the first 400 people.

Face painting and balloon animals also will be part of the fun. And the Lockport Junior Miss Softball Championships begin after the ribbon cutting.

In 1999, then-state Rep. Brent Hassert (R-Romeoville) helped broker a deal that allowed the park district to buy 80 acres that is now called Hassert Park, just west of the park district’s Prairie Bluff Public Golf lub.