Norfolk Community Playground to be Replaced

By Jill Hall
The Norfolk Community Playground, located at Botelle Elementary School was installed in 1993, and its playscape and trademark 80 feet long hillside slide remain popular with both children and adults today. The playground was the result of much community involvement, by raising money through a series of weekend benefits, careful selection of various play structures and then through the volunteers who physically helped construct the playground over a weekend of intense activity. It truly is a community playground.

This playscape will soon be replaced with a new up-to-date playground on the Botelle School campus.

After seventeen years, the playground is at the end of its natural life span. Yearly inspections are revealing more areas of repair, and it is time to replace the structure. Upgrading the playground is necessary from a safety standpoint and to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide access for the disabled.
The Norfolk Board of Education has obtained an initial estimate of $65,000 to replace the structure, and has started a pledge campaign to raise the necessary funds. As of September 1, $11,166.30 had been raised. A portion of this money was realized through a successful bake sale at Tobey Pond this summer organized by Kim Crone, whose children Caroline, Ellie and Ben attend Botelle and wanted to do something in support of the new playground project. In doing so, they enlisted the help of many friends and their parents for contributions of baked good and arts and crafts. In addition, the Board of Finance has set aside $26,000 in matching funds. A playground committee has been appointed, and their goal is to match the Finance Board’s funding by Spring 2011.
First Selectman Susan Dyer has sought funding for the playground fund through a Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant. However, given the current economic state, it is not certain that the funds will be granted, so the community is being asked to support and help with this endeavor.
Carolyn Bazzano, chairman of the playground committee, said they are looking to expand the planning committee to include parents and other townspeople who would be interested in planning and coordinating various fundraising events during the coming year. Additional volunteers will be needed to disassemble the existing playground and install the new one. Anyone who would like additional information, or who would like to volunteer, should contact the superintendent’s office at 860-542-5553.

Photo By Colleen Gundlach