By Anthony Finlay
Play Bold Hutch
Hutchinson’s neighborhoods tell the story of our community—its history, its people, and its future. Few places capture that story more than SW Bricktown, a neighborhood rich in culture, resilience, and pride.
On October 18, that pride was on full display as nearly 700 neighbors came together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the SW Bricktown Fiesta, a unique event led by residents through the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative.
The annual Fiesta has become one of Hutchinson’s most anticipated neighborhood gatherings.
This year’s celebration featured a Kermes vendor market, offering authentic Mexican food and traditional art; a Día de los Muertos altar, honoring loved ones and cultural tradition; live music from Zecreto Norteño, and a street dance.
For event organizers, the Fiesta represents a neighborhood that has discovered its voice, strengthened its identity, and built unity with neighbors.
A Neighborhood Rooted in History
The eastern half of the neighborhood was part of the “Original Town” platted by city founder C.C. Hutchinson. By the late 1800s, the area was surrounded by railroad lines: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Rock Island, Western; and Wichita & Colorado Railroads. These rail connections attracted Mexican American families seeking work and a place to call home.
By the early 20th century, SW Bricktown had become the heart of Hutchinson’s growing Mexican American community.
In 1927, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church was built at Avenue E and Adams to serve the area’s residents. Although the parish later moved to South Hutchinson in 1965 as industry expanded, the spirit of faith, family, and culture that defined the neighborhood remained.
SW Bricktown has always been a place of deep cultural identity and community ties. Today, those roots remain strong; the neighborhood’s Hispanic and Latino population (28.47%) is more than double the citywide average.
Revitalization Through the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative
SW Bricktown was the first neighborhood to be featured in the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative, a collaborative effort of Hutch Rec, the City of Hutchinson, and several community partners. Launched in 2014, the initiative focuses on empowering residents to take an active role in shaping the future of their neighborhoods.
Over the past decade, SW Bricktown has become a model for what neighborhood revitalization looks like when residents lead the way.
Working alongside city staff and community organizations, neighbors have transformed SW Bricktown Park (formerly Ashmeade Park) into a true community gathering space. The park’s expansion, new playground and shelter, lighting, irrigation, soccer goals, and benches were all the result of local advocacy and partnerships with the Hutchinson Land Bank, the Hutchinson Community Foundation, and city officials.
This past spring, residents partnered with city staff and council member Greg Fast to organize a cleanup along Cow Creek, continuing their hands-on care of the neighborhood’s green spaces.
The Power of Resident Leadership
The SW Bricktown Fiesta is just one example of how residents are shaping their neighborhood’s future through culture, connection, and collaboration. What makes the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative successful isn’t just investment in infrastructure, it is investment in people. When residents have the tools, relationships, and support to organize, they build lasting change that no outside agency could replicate.
Events like the Fiesta remind us that strong neighborhoods don’t happen by chance. They’re built through hard work, shared purpose and pride in place. SW Bricktown has shown what’s possible when neighbors unite around a vision of community.
At Hutch Rec, we’re proud to walk alongside the residents of SW Bricktown and neighborhoods across the city as they write the next chapters of Hutchinson’s story—one celebration, one park, and one connection at a time.
Anthony Finlay is the Executive Director of Hutchinson Recreation Commission. He can be reached at tfinlay@hutchrec.com.