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All‑abilities playground design approved by Park & Rec; town to combine grant and local funds for construction
Summary
Park and Recreation approved the layout for an all‑abilities playground and staff said the town will combine a $300,000 STEAP grant, Friends fundraising and previously budgeted town funds to reach a construction total the Council will be asked to authorize.
A representative speaking for the Friends of the playground fundraising effort told the Finance Town Council on Sept. 12 that the project has firm construction numbers and that Park and Recreation approved the plan on the preceding Wednesday. "The STEAP grant that we got from the state, which was $300,000 to build an all inclusive, all abilities playground, was contingent on a match from the town of a minimum of $325,000 and a $150,000 from the Friends of...the playground," the speaker said.
Why it matters: the playground will be an all‑abilities facility and combines state grant funding, private fundraising and town budgeted funds. Staff said the project was budgeted previously and the town will ask the Council to authorize spending up to the firm construction number so materials can be ordered.
Costs and approvals: Tiger and the Friends’ representative said the construction package going to the Board of Selectmen lists a firm construction cost (equipment, installation and site work) of $766,069. Additional fencing, landscaping and incidental work will be requested as part of the full authorization. Tiger said this is not an additional appropriation request because the town had previously budgeted for playground work; the action requested is authorization to combine and spend the external grant and local funds.
Timing: If the Selectmen and town council authorize the contracts, staff expects to order materials and aim for a spring build (late spring/early summer) when the site season allows installation. Park improvements will proceed in phases; the fitness area is already installed, Tiger said.
Community contribution: The Friends group’s fundraising and the state STEAP grant together reduced the town’s net share; Tiger and the Friends’ representative emphasized that the match requirements were met and that the project was planned in budget cycles going back to 2022.
