While project has run into delays, new Westport playground looking to open soon

While it hasn’t opened as soon as some had hoped, a new Westport playground is expected to be ready soon.

According to the Westport Recreation Director Dana Stewart, the new playground near the Annex Building at 856 Main Road is still being finished.

“The fence company has had some delays and now tells us (that) the new fence around the playground will hopefully go in the week on 9/16. Then another company needs to seed the grass. We are also waiting on the MRC/GameTime playground company to install the wheelchair accessible swing and do some fixes. We now hope to have a grand opening for the public sometime in October. We thank the public for their patience as we finish things up.”

The new playground at the Annex has a nautical theme, a nod to the history of the Westport community, and is 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.

Once the Annex playground is completed, the next project will be replacing Westport’s Bicentennial Playground.