New playground is a hit with families

A project that sat on Harrington Beach State Park’s master plan for nearly 20 years has become a reality, and it is receiving rave reviews.

New, playground equipment designed for children of all abilities was installed across from the Ansay Welcome Center in spring.

“I am usually at the park several times a week and talk with parents and children using the playground. It is well received,” Friends of Harrington Beach State Park Secretary Elaine Stecker-Kochanski said.

“I was pleased to talk with a dad who had three foster children. They were using the accessible cabin and were happy to be using the playground.”

The project followed the park’s 2004 master plan that lists a playground in its “higher priority” category for the park. The play area was proposed in 2011 and kept getting bumped until recently.

Money from the estate of Jeanne Hare helped kickstart fundraising. The Friends of Harrington Beach State Park donated money from the sale of firewood, apparel and bird and bat houses toward the goal of $100,000.

Those donations only left $30,000 to raise. The Friends of HBSP raised that money since announcing the project last winter.

Money had to be raised and the Department of Natural Resources Board had to approve the design plans before equipment could be purchased.

The Friends of HBSP completed those tasks, and equipment was bought from Lee Recreation LLC of Cambridge, which uses Burke playground equipment.

The playground includes a modular play structure with slides, climbing elements and motion play equipment, as well as swings and a motion play orb rocker.

Stecker-Kochanski said a few finishing touches to the playground with Lee Recreation still need to be done.

Friends of HBSP are planning a grand opening on Tuesday, Aug. 30, before its annual meeting and volunteer appreciation supper.

Fore more information on Friends of HBSP, visit friendsofharrington.org.