Simsbury dedicates new playground honoring local emergency responders at Simsbury Center
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Summary
Town officials, designers and emergency-service partners gathered at Simsbury Center for a ribbon-cutting to open a new playground themed to honor local firefighters, police and medical responders. Town staff and volunteers led the project, which was built by Ben Shafer Recreation and is now open to families.
Simsbury — Town officials and community partners on Saturday opened a new playground at Simsbury Center designed to honor local emergency responders.
Tom Diverski, director of the Simsbury Culture, Parks and Recreation Department, welcomed families and thanked the volunteer fire department, ambulance association and police department for participating in the dedication. "We'll have you in that playground in just a few minutes," Diverski said as attendees prepared for the ribbon cutting and post-ceremony activities.
First Selectman Wendy Metchutis praised Parks & Recreation staff and volunteers for bringing the project to life and thanked auxiliary groups and board members for their support. "I wanna thank Tom, parks and rec department, the fire company, the district, the ambulance company, the police department, the auxiliary, and everybody that made this park possible," Metchutis said.
Laurie Carpenter, a longtime member of the Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission and a retired police officer, said the commission supported the playground theme as a way to introduce children to local public-safety roles. "Because what a way to honor our local heroes...so they can get familiar with the fire department, police and our medical team that works with us," Carpenter said.
Chief Tom Myers, representing local fire services, commended the project and encouraged children to enjoy the site. "Enjoy the playground, have fun," Myers said.
The playground was designed and built with assistance from Ben Shafer Recreation. Colin Drury of Ben Shafer Recreation described the project as a "100%" commitment to honoring community heroes and thanked municipal partners for the opportunity to design the play area.
Diverski recognized Parks & Recreation staff and site crews for construction work and invited commissioners, staff and families to the front for a ribbon cutting before allowing children into the play area. Vehicles from local emergency services were on display after the ceremony for families to explore.
The playground is open to the public; organizers also provided refreshments for children and directed families to staff located near the nearby football field for assistance.