State Approves Playground Funds, To Dismay of Some

Local officials are hailing the state Bond Commission's recent approval of $400,000 to go toward a long-planned all-access playground, but some in state government say now is not the time to make such a large expenditure.

Plans for the playground, which will be able to accommodate children with disabilities, have been in the works for many years, Mayor Scott Jackson said, and the state funding means it will finally come to fruition.

"It's something that has been planned for a long time," Jackson said, "and something that will be very good for the town."

 “With each passing year, we learn more and more about how vitally important it is for children to have access and opportunity for recreation and exercise," said state Sen. Martin Looney, who advocated for the state money. "This all-access playground - designed to attract and accommodate children of all abilities – will improve the quality of life for thousands of families. The state funding allows this facility to be built without putting a strain of local property taxes.” 

But the approval raised the ire of one state legislator who said the state shouldn't be spending that kind of money for this kind of project during such tough economic times.

"I have to draw the line,'' Sen. Andrew Roraback, R-Goshen, told the Hartford Courant. "There's not a single member of the General Assembly that wouldn't welcome a new playground in their community … and no one can dispute the value that playgrounds have."

The approval prompted Roraback to say he feels the state is on the brink of "Armageddon," which drew a fast response from Gov. Dannel Malloy, who disputed that assumption and said the playground is especially needed for special needs children.

All-access playgrounds sport features such as ramps and pathways that can accommodate wheelchairs and ground-level play stations. 

Plans call for the installation of the playground near the area where the gazabo is located in the park, which runs along Dixwell Avenue next to Hamden Middle School.

“Town Center Park is a large tract of open space with plenty of parking and its central location gives all Hamden residents equal access to what is already a popular destination for a long list of recreational opportunities," said state Sen. Joseph Crisco. "With the Hamden Middle School at one end of the park and the Hamden Public Library at the other end, everyone in town will know when this new playground is up and running and available for use.”

The state Department of Environmental Protection will oversee the project, which will be administered by the town's Parks and Recreation Department.