WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian P. Sullivan today called for volunteers to assist with the installation of a $50,000 playscape at Whitney Playground. The “Community Build” will be held on Friday, April 29th and Saturday, April 30th. The project is the result of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awarded in 2015 to allow for the installation of playground equipment in this neighborhood park. The CDBG grant amounts to $60,000 and will pay for a baseball-themed playscape with activity stations for children ages 2 to 12.
The playscape community build is slated for April 29th & 30th
Whitney Park is located at the end of Shepard Street, along the southern bank of the Westfield River. Over the past three decades, the Park has primarily been used for the Parks & Recreation adult softball programs. In 2014, the Westfield Spanish-American Association, through its then-President Wil Rodriguez, approached the Office of Community Development to inquire relative to possible upgrades to the Park to allow recreational opportunities for young families in the neighborhood.
“Since the 1960s, the Orange Street and Shepard Street neighborhoods have been sort of a home base for the City’s Puerto Rican community,” Rodriguez said. “We hope this new playground equipment will bring more families and more activity to Whitney Playground,” he continued.
In order to maximize the impact of the project, the City has opted for a “community build,” which allows volunteers to participate in the assembly of the structure, under supervision from the equipment provider. The City and WSAA are looking for 15-20 volunteers each day to assist with the project. The work will begin at 8:00 am each day, and volunteers can commit to either a morning or an afternoon shift. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day. Volunteers will be required to sign a waiver acknowledging their willingness and fitness to participate.
“I’m really looking forward to bringing this new feature to Whitney Playground,” Mayor Sullivan said. “WSAA has been a longtime partner in the Westfield community and I am pleased to partner with them, the Department of Public Works, and the Office of Community Development on this exciting project,” he continued.
For additional information on the Community Build, please contact Peter Miller in the Office of Community Development, either by phone (413-572-6246) or by email at [email protected].
