Where I Live: Westpark resident’s family relishes a 1990s lifestyle in Benbrook neighborhood

I grew up in east Fort Worth, on View Street, across from what is now Tandy Hills Nature Area.

Of course, at the time it wasn't what it's become today. That didn't matter though — the 200 acres of open and wooded land was our backyard.

We would hike for hours and at times find unique things like an old car in the creek that was halfway covered by sediment. We even built a "Sandlot" style baseball field with stolen sand from the park and cut-up carpet for bases. Yes, those were the good days, playing with friends who just happened to live next door.

Times change, and fewer and fewer kids are now playing outside.

Fewer children knock on their neighbor's door to see if Jimmy can come out and play.

Today, my family and I reside 25 minutes southwest of where I grew up. We live in a cozy neighborhood nestled in Benbrook called Westpark Estates, or simply, Westpark.

We purchased our home in 2019 and moved in March 13, 2020, the same week as the infamous COVID-19 shutdown. It was a not-so-great time to move into a new neighborhood. Next door lives a young couple who we could only wave hello and goodbye to when we crossed paths. On the other side lived a middle-aged couple who started transitioning their lives to Stephenville months after we arrived. And, across from us lived a retired 86-year-old gentleman with his wife.

Westpark was built in the 1980s and when we moved in, many of the original homeowners were still here, their children long grown and gone. Quiet surrounded us.

After the shutdown came and went, a neighbor of ours tried initiating a meet-your-neighbor event in the form of a block party. It had little success since most people were still cautious of COVID-19 and a simple sneeze or cough meant a death stare from everyone.

Enough time passed by that we were able to properly introduce ourselves to the people around us.

I remember telling my wife, in a disgruntled tone, that our next-door neighbor and I would eventually be friends since I'd seen a mountain bike and golf clubs in his garage, two things I enjoy doing very much.

I normally don't like my neighbors to come over and chat — I'm very content with a simple wave and hello from afar — so having such interests was going to complicate my 'don't be too friendly with neighbors' policy.

After decades of living in the same community, longtime homeowners are starting to migrate, opening the doors to new families. Their outdated but impeccably maintained homes offer the perfect combination for a family that wants an affordable home they can make their own.

This is leading to a significant change in Westpark.

A once tranquil street full of silence is being energized by children running, laughing and playing with each other.

Sitting on our lawns under the shade of mature trees is where you find the adults, watching over our children as they figure out who's it or what game to play next as they run through the sprinklers.

Long gone is my 'don't be too friendly with neighbors' policy.

Not only is this happening within our block, but all around us. As I drive through Westpark, I see groups of children playing baseball, riding their bikes and playing tag.

Westpark is changing, it's becoming a hub for young families raising their little ones. On my afternoon runs I always cross paths with several other families taking a walk as they push their strollers.

On one of those runs I dropped my phone and didn't realize where it fell. I knew I'd have to purchase another and go through the hassle that comes with that.

But about 15 minutes later my mom received a call from a stranger telling her they had found a phone and called "mom." She provided my wife's information and within minutes I had my phone back in my pocket. These are the neighbors that live in Westpark, friendly, honest and thoughtful.

Another reason why Westpark is becoming a young families' paradise is because of the phenomenal schools. We are lucky to have Westpark Elementary, Basis Benbrook and a combined Benbrook Middle-High School all within our community. Not to mention the numerous activities offered to both children and adults all within a five-minute drive.

This type of living is the life people thought had gone extinct back in the '90s. However, you can still find it here in our little corner of Westpark.

Omar Aguilar, 36, is from Benbrook and is a resident of the Westpark neighborhood. Aguilar works as a financial adviser for Blue Ladder Financial Planning LLC.

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