PRESS RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JASON SILVA, CHIEF OF STAFF
May 27, 2010 978-619-5603
Salem parks get spruced up in time for spring
SALEM, MA – The City of Salem recently completed work on four parks, just in time for warm weather and sunny skies.
The City funded $50,000 of new play equipment and its installation, which took place last weekend, at Salem Common. The renovated tot lot was paid for in full by the City and Parents United is contributing over $40,000 which will pay for rubber flooring on the ground under and around the playground equipment. The new matting will make it easier for people who have a hard time getting around to enjoy the playground.
“It’s exciting to be opening a fully accessible playground in Salem,” said Mayor Kimberley Driscoll. “With the help of Parents United, Salem will now have a place where children and families can enjoy the outdoors together regardless of their mobility. Further, this playground has been in desperate need of investment for quite some time so having this project done, in such a high-profile area, is a great accomplishment for the City.”
The Common playground is expected to be completed next week. A ribbon-cutting celebration is scheduled for Sunday, June 6 at 4 p.m. at the playground.
Earlier this month, work wrapped up on the High Street playground, which now has new play structures and swings. The $42,000 renovation was funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Members of the Greater Endicott Street Neighborhood Association and work crews supervised by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department installed the new play equipment, saving the city money on labor costs. CDBG funds were also utilized to install a brand new fence and repair the gazebo at the park.
“Thanks to dedicated neighbors, the help of Sheriff Frank Cousins and federal community development money, we were able to make significant improvements to another of Salem’s parks,” said Mayor Kimberley Driscoll. “In this tough economy, it will be partnerships like these that help us continue to improve the quality of life in Salem.”
Two other parks also got some spring cleaning. Resurfacing work was completed on the tennis courts at Salem Willows Park and on the basketball court at Pickman Park. The total cost of both of these projects was approximately $12,000 and was paid for by the city. The work at Pickman Park was covered by capital improvement funding and the Willows tennis courts were improved using revenues generated from the parking meters at Willows Park.
For more information on the Salem Commons Playground improvements, call Jason Silva at (978) 619-5603.
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