Legacy Playground Project Nears Milestone Fundraising Goal

Eric Brand wants to build a better playground in Nashua, sooner than later.

Right now, Brand is optimistic that he and his 22 fellow playground enthusiasts will meet their immediate challenge, the Finlay Challenge  – to reach a fundraising milestone of $100,000, a big boost toward reaching the $250,000 goal that will allow the Nashua Legacy Playground Project to go forward.

“When we hit $100,000 by June 30, the Finlay Foundation will give us $25,000, so we're doing a big push to get there,” said Brand, a local landscaper, who has taken the lead in bringing a “universally accessible” playground to the city, at no cost to taxpayers.

As of June 29 the group reported it was just $1,750 shy of its goal, according to the Legacy Playground Facebook page.

The bigger hurdle is where the playground will be built.

“Two things we're up against – the fundraising and the final site selection. We need to get that done by July to be able to have time for the proposed October construction,” said Brand. 

He is a member of the city's 2012 Leadership Greater Nashua program, a year-long professional development program administered through the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce. 

As a group, the 23 LGN members settled on launching an initiative to build a modern playground in the city, constructed in such a way that all residents can play there – even those with physical limitations.

Early on, Brand and others did their homework, checking out the various possible sites around the city and conducting a survey the group narrowed possible locations to Greeley Park, Artillery Park on Sargent Ave. and Lincoln Park.

"With the dated equipment that's currently at both Greeley and Artillery, we believe this would be a great resurrection of either playground," said Brand. 

At Greeley Park, construction would provide a chance to correct a chronic drainage problem there, which renders the route between the play area and the restrooms a seasonal swamp.

A concept for Greeley Park would require removal of a few trees, but would not affect the gazebo. Tree removal may be necessary at Artillery Park as well.  When considering either site, Brand said because they are popular sites for all kinds of family and community activities, having a well-constructed, state-of-the-art playground made perfect sense.

"We're talking about a playground, where children, adults, seniors, veterans – everyone can play or go to enjoy the outdoors, emphasis on everybody," Brand said, a point that is particularly salient for Brand, a father of three. His son Tanner has multiple disabilities.

When these playground were built decades ago, times were different. People weren't thinking about whether everyone who wanted to go to a playground in Nashua could do so, Brand said.

"Back then, kids in wheelchairs were institutionalized. Now, they are part of our community. With this effort, we just want to make sure everybody has access – it's not meant to draw in just kids with disabilities; rather it's meant to be welcoming to people of all abilities," Brand said.

Brand made a playground presentation during the March 14 Board of Public Works meeting, where discussion ensued as to whether other locations were considered. Parks and Recreation Superintendent Nick Caggiano said that in light of the playground's mission, to create a sensory-safe environment for those with special needs, an alternative site, Sergeant Avenue, fell short due to noise and traffic considerations.

Alderman Mark Cookson has said while he supports the idea of a Legacy Park, he feels there are other potential sites worth at least considering, including Navaho Park in Ward 1 and Yudicky Park. He suggests that Greeley Park was targeted prematurely, and other Aldermen have echoed his concerns.

Under the city charter, legislation is required for any projects proposed at Greeley Park. As Ward 3 Alderman, Diane Sheehan would be the one to submit legislation. Sheehan has said before she is ready to that, she would first like to have a neighborhood meeting to talk about the proposal.

So far, no action has been taken to hold such a meeting.

In April, Sheehan said that much of the push back about the project appears to be grounded in misinformation and misconceptions.

"What I am hearing from some people is that they don't think there should be a handicapped playground. The idea of the Legacy Playground isn't that it is for kids with disabilities – it's for kids of all abilities, so everyone can feel welcome in this place," Sheehan said. 

"Overwhelmingly, I've heard from people who are excited about this opportunity. In the minority are those I've heard from who've gotten misinformation, and who fear it's going to detract from the 'natural beauty' of Greeley Park. I think we have to learn more before we write Greeley Park off," Sheehan said. 

Brand said his group has already done a public survey about the project so that when the final design is complete, they have made sure no one's concerns have been overlooked.

"Whether you are someone with autism or visual, hearing or mobility issues – we want to make sure we've thought through all those considerations, and then produce a playground where a typically developing child can go in and play and not know the difference," Brand said.

"Here we have a group of young community leaders who want to give something back, who want to give a gift to the city. What better place than Greeley Park, from out perspective," Brand said. 

To learn more about the Legacy Playground project, or to make a donation, visit nashualegacyplayground.com.

To contact your Ward Alderman to let them know how you feel about the playground, and weigh in on where you think it should be, click here (and tell them Nashua Patch sent you!)