It’s almost done. The wooden gazebo surrounded by the bright red slides, unfinished green swing set, and blue poles used for railings and other accents is visible from the street on Fort Hill Road in Groton. The blueprint of the fully inclusive Tercentennial Legacy Playground at the Poquonnock Plains Park, a tribute to Groton’s 300th anniversary in 2005, is finally becoming a reality. The playground is expected to welcome visitors this summer.
Though the playground has a black sign with orange letters stating ‘Keep Out’ and an additional wooden sign reminding would-be revelers that the area is not yet open for use, Jerry Lokken, manager of recreation services for the Groton Parks and Recreation Department, said they had no choice but to surround the playground with a fence to keep kids off the equipment.
“They wouldn’t stay off of it,” he said laughing. “It’s that attractive.”
“Even though the equipment has been installed, the area remains closed to protect the safety of park users,” Lokken quoted Director of Parks and Recreation John Silsby in a recent press release.
Lokken added that the only item left to complete is the installation of safety surfacing material. But the surfacing costs money. To date, Lokken said the playground committee has raised $330,000 from hundreds of contributors for the project. The committee hopes to raise an additional $25,000 by mid-May to cover the entire surface with a rubberized material that provides protection against falls. The rubberized material, Lokken added in the release, will also be smooth enough to allow people with walkers, strollers, and wheelchairs to get around easily.
Lokken said the original plan was to use wood fiber as protection against falls. After performing additional research, it was discovered that wood fiber needs constant maintenance for upkeep and that navigating the material would be much harder for people with mobility problems than travel on rubberized materials.
In a week’s time, Lokken said they’ve received a couple of thousand dollars toward the cause and he hopes that as they spread the word, they will receive more donations to finish the project the best way possible.
“If the money is not raised, a portion of the surface will be covered with wood fiber,” Lokken said in the release. “The committee is hoping donors can contribute the relatively small amount remaining.”
The committee is also looking for volunteers from the community interested in participating in a work day to be scheduled within the next few weeks.
“Volunteers with shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows are needed to help prepare the base material for the surfacing,” Lokken said in the release.
It’s no secret that the model of the playground is different from other playgrounds in the community. Its origin came from the idea to provide a place for all children from all walks of life to enjoy the outdoor activities a playground can provide. The question remains if the project will achieve its original goal.
“The design, equipment, and location promote opportunities for people of varying abilities, ages, and generations to be involved with each other,” Lokken added in the release. “The playground will provide opportunities for users to experience a deep sense of belonging, interaction, and acceptance.”
“We’ve been working on this project for years and it is so encouraging to be so close to completion. The playground committee is hopeful the community will pitch in one more time to allow us to finish the job,” Lokken quoted Town Manager Mark Oefinger in the release.
“The community should be proud of itself,” Lokken quoted Silsby, “and soon they’ll be able to enjoy a state-of-the-art playground that provides opportunities for the whole community.”
Donors and volunteers are encouraged to contact Groton Parks and Recreation at 536-5680 or visit grotonrec.com for more information.