From right to left: Select Board member Vineeth Hemavathi, state Sen. Jake Oliveira, state Rep. Brian Ashe, Select Board Chair Dan Zwirko. Select Board member Andrew Lam, Assistant Town Manager Michael Barbieri and Town Manager Lyn Simmons celebrate the ribbon cutting.
Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy
LONGMEADOW — The joyful sounds of children climbing, sliding and swinging filled the air at Bliss Park as Longmeadow residents, families, project partners and elected officials gathered to celebrate the opening of the park’s brand-new playground.
Town Manager Lyn Simmons, Select Board Chair Dan Zwirko, state Sen. Jake Oliveira and state Rep. Brian Ashe spoke before cutting the ribbon to open the playground on July 21.
“The playground was thoughtfully designed as a multi-generational space where people of all ages and abilities can play. ” Simmons said. “It includes ground level accessible features, such as a We-Go-Round … allowing visitors to participate at their own comfort level and ability. Throughout the playground, there are opportunities to climb, slide, swing, spin, balance, explore and create. Its open-play features, varied elevations and sensory rich elements encourage discovery, creativity, physical activity and inclusive play.”
The Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, the town’s Community Preservation Act and capital improvement plan funded the project. Simmons said this was the first time Longmeadow had received funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 30 years.
Oliveira said parks like these make sure playscapes are accessible and available for everyone. He joked that he may still have splinters from the wooden playground he would use growing up.
He thanked the town of Longmeadow for being a “strong partner,” voters for approving the Community Preservation Act at Town Meeting and everyone in the community that “comes together and supports the investments needed to make sure that future generations have access to playscapes like this.”
“It’s projects like this that give us firsthand knowledge of what those funds can actually do to invest in our communities and invest in our future,” Oliveira said. “As we look to celebrate the opening of this beautiful new playscape, always remember that the decisions that are made at the town level and decisions that are made on Beacon Hill come to make recreation possible for future generations.”
Ashe said the parks and open space were some of the reasons he and his wife moved to Longmeadow.
“The comfortability of walking around in Longmeadow, feeling at peace and something like this for the kids is absolutely phenomenal,” Ashe said. “I know there were multiple groups within the town that helped put this together, so thank you so much. I know the Community Preservation Act was part of it, and that’s such a great reason to use something like this because it benefits so many people, not just the children.”
Zwirko said the playground is designed to be an inclusive space where everybody can play and enjoy time together.
“It is something for everyone,” Zwirko said. “It creates opportunities for families, community members to connect in a free, welcoming environment. This design also embraces the concept of beneficial risk, recognizing the age appropriate challenges like climbing, balancing and exploring, help children build strength, confidence, coordination and problem solving skills … we hope this playground will serve as a place where children, families and residents of all abilities can gather to play and create lasting memories for many years to come.”
The town celebrated Bliss Park’s new playground opening on July 21.
Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy
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