Recreation Department: Two new playgrounds coming to Westport with one opening next year

The Westport Recreation Department has announced that they will be installing a new, modern playground, to replace the almost 30-year-old playground that is currently located near the Annex Building at 856 Main Road in Westport, MA.

“It’s been a long time coming.” said Dana Stewart, Recreation Director for the Town of Westport. “The old Annex Playground has been well loved and used by many town residents over the years, but it is time to replace it due to its age and old design. We need to have a playground that is ADA compliant and meets all of the current safety standards. A new playground in the Central Village area will hopefully help to increase economic growth, promote healthy play and exercise for kids, and improve the connectivity for the community at large.”

The Recreation Director, along with the Recreation Commission, have had a vision for improving Westport’s two town playgrounds for all to enjoy (the Annex Playground and the Bicentennial Playground). They are completing the Annex Playground first since it’s the older of the two playgrounds. For the past few years, they have been busy investigating different playground designs, visiting other local playgrounds to see what
features they like and trying to attain the necessary funding needed.

Attaining funding has been a challenge, as newer playgrounds cost a significant amount. Last year, the Recreation Department applied for funds through the town’s Community Preservation Commission. This effort was successful as $350,000 was approved at Town Meeting in May 2023. “That amount is significant and very much appreciated!” said Stewart. Those funds will be split between the two playgrounds, which left a need to gain more funding.

Then, a foundation heard about the Westport Recreation Department’s “Playground Improvement Project” and invited them to present their plans. On Monday, October 23, 2023, the foundation shared that this project was approved for a grant in the amount of $500,000. The foundation expressed their wish to remain anonymous, and to have their funds applied to the Annex Playground as the priority so that it could be finished. Then,
any remaining funds could be reallocated to the Bicentennial Playground to continue plans for that project.

“We were overjoyed with this amazing news, and so grateful for the generosity of this anonymous foundation!” said Stewart. “With this grant, along with half of the Community Preservation Commission funds, we are able to install a brand new, modern playground at the Annex in spring 2024! We hope to have a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new playground in June 2024, just in time for summer.”

Stewart was able to share the news of the funding and playground plans at the Board of Selectmen meeting held on Monday, November 6. Images of the new playground design were shown, and questions were answered.

The new playground at the Annex will have a nautical theme, a nod to the history of the Westport community, and be in colors of blue, grey, tan and white. It features a large whale that kids can climb on, 5 slides of varying heights, multiple swings, many sensory panels, various climbing features, an inclusive see saw, an in ground whirl spinner and deck levels with a ramp so it is inclusive to anyone in a wheelchair. The ground will be a modern, rubberized surface with a pattern on it that is meant to mimic the Westport River. This kind of surface is currently the proven safety standard at the majority of playgrounds.

“A lot of time and attention went into the details of this playground, and we hope that the Westport community, and any visitors to our town, enjoys this playground for years to come!” said Stewart.

More information, and pictures of the design plans for the new playground at the Annex,
can soon be viewed on the Westport Recreation website at www.westportrec.com.

If anyone in the community is interested in donating monetary funds or being a sponsor for the future completion of the new Bicentennial Playground, located at 192 Gifford Rd., Westport, MA, please contact the Recreation Department at stewartd@westport-ma.gov or call 774-264-5181.