September 21, 2023 By Carol Britton Meyer
Families from all parts of town and surrounding communities have enjoyed playing at the Hingham Community Playground at Cronin Field behind Town Hall for the past 24 years and have fond memories of time spent there.
Now it’s time to build a new one — contingent on potential Community Preservation Act funds, donations, and fundraising — due to the current playground’s deteriorating condition, Recreation Commission Chair Vicki Donlan told the Hingham Anchor. “This will be the playground of all playgrounds, with something for all ages. We’re very excited.”
Much of the current equipment is in a state of disrepair, and the current playground — built in 1999 through a community -wide effort led by residents Jill Setian and Sarah Boynton — needs a complete renovation to today’s standards.
As part of its mission to provide Hingham with the highest-quality athletic facilities, Hingham Rec — in partnership with the commission — is planning a new state-of-the art “Hingham Community Playground,” featuring multiple imaginary play areas — including a child-size school house, grocery store, lemonade stand, and barn — a variety of climbing structures for ages 2-5 and 5-12, a zip line, swings, and picnic area. The entire surface will be poured-in-place rubber, which provides a safe, code-compliant play area. The footprint will be the same as the current one, and the lifespan is expected to be between 20 and 30 years.
“We considered five proposals,” Rec Director Mark Thorell said. “The final choice was Landscape Structures, which Hingham Rec and the commission consider to be the #1 company for playground equipment.”
The current location is ideal, Donlan explained, because of its central location in town and its close proximity to what has become “a vibrant sports complex” of well-maintained playing fields and other amenities, in addition to plenty of parking in the area — Haley Field, the Rec Barn, and Town Hall.
“Parents, grandparents, and nannies have always brought children to the playground, even on mild winter days, to get out into the fresh air,” Donlan said. “In addition, as a result of Covid, many communities are focusing on outside play and renovations to play areas.”
The Rec Department recently submitted an application to the Community Preservation Committee for $500,000 in CPA funds to cover roughly half of the estimated $1.1 million cost. If the CPC ultimately supports funding for the project, voters at the Spring 2024 Annual Town Meeting would make the final decision.
The remainder of the funding would be raised through donations and fundraising, according to Donlan. Part of the proceeds from next year’s Hingham Rec-hosted Fourth of July Road Race would also benefit the new playground.
If all goes as planned, construction would begin in the Fall of 2024, with the targeted completion date of late-2024 or early 2025.
To make an online donation, go to www.hinghamrec.com. Checks may also be dropped off at the Rec Office, 210 Central St. Donation suggestions include $250, $100, $50, and $20. Contributions of any size are welcome.
To view a video of 360-degree views of the proposed playground , go to www.hingham-ma.gov/CivicMedia?VID=27.
A playground naming opportunity is also available. For more information, call Recreation Department Director Mark Thorell at (781) 741-1464.