Westmont in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Robert W. Bernas Park

Dedicated May 11, 2016

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 22, 2025

1. Robert W. Bernas Park Marker

Inscription. In Honor Of
Robert W. Bernas
Commissioner and Board President Westmont Park District 1973-2016
Robert (Bob) W. Bernas served the Westmont Park District for forty-three selfless years. Thirty-nine of those years Bob served as President of the Park Board of Commissioners. During his tenure he helped the Westmont Park District flourish from 32 acres to more than 137 acres. Bob played a key role in the development of Ty Warner Park, Twin Lakes Golf Course, Smith Woods, Bellerive Park, the Fitness Club and Westmont Senior Center, in addition to fifteen other parks throughout Westmont. Bob's leadership and commitment to Westmont was unmatched. Most notable was Bob's 18 year commitment to the acquisition and development of this park named in his honor. Beginning in 1998 the District acquired a Department of Natural Resources Open Space Acquisition Grant to secure this 4.78 acre parcel on Wilmette Avenue. This would have been an important parcel to preserve because the neighborhood was rapidly transitioning to more densely developed residential subdivisions spearheaded by McNaughton Homes, Inc. Shortly after receiving the grant, but prior to accepting the grant award, the owner, Mr. Anthony Kuzminski, decided he was not ready to sell. To avoid condemnation of the property as required by the DNR's Grant

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agreement, the Park Board respectfully withdrew its grant, preserving Mr. Kuzminski's home and land. Instead, the Park District entered into a Right of First Refusal with Mr. Kuzminski, eventually granting him a Life Estate and acquiring the land with the assistance of another IDNR OSLAD Grant in December of 2013. In 2014 the Village of Westmont deeded the 2 acre Pond enlarging the Park. A second OSLAD Development Grant was acquired in 2015, assisting with the development of Robert W. Bernas Park for the benefit of Westmont and the local neighborhood.

Erected by Westmont Park District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is May 11, 2016.

Location. 41° 47.032′ N, 87° 58.235′ W. Marker is in Westmont, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on South Wilmette Avenue near 57th Street. The marker is affixed to a small outbuilding near the parking lot to Bernas Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5716 South Wilmette Avenue, Westmont IL 60559, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kruml Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Smith Woods (approx. ¾ mile away); TWA Flight 529 Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); 9/11 Memorial

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 22, 2025

2. Robert W. Bernas Park Marker

(approx. 0.8 miles away); Clarendon Hills Honor Roll World War II (approx. 1.3 miles away); Lloyd R. Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Fairview (East Grove) Station (approx. 1½ miles away); Hinsdale Central High School First Night Game (approx. 1.8 miles away).

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 22, 2025

3. Bernas Park

Bernas Park pond image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 22, 2025

4. Bernas Park pond

Credits. This page was last revised on March 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 275 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.