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New Canaan Moms Lead Push For New Playground At Mead Park

When a park’s playground is rusting and sporting patched pieces of equipment or decking, it’s time to replace it. While the Town of New Canaan has put some funding in its budget to replace the aging play structure at Mead Memorial Park, it’s not enough.

Allyson Mahoney (left) and Monica Chimera (right) lead the charge (and fundraising) to replace the old playground in New Canaan's Mead Memorial Park.

Allyson Mahoney (left) and Monica Chimera (right) lead the charge (and fundraising) to replace the old playground in New Canaan's Mead Memorial Park.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Mead Park's playground has seen better days. The town and Friends of Mead Park Playground, spearheaded by Chimera and Mahoney, are raising funds to have it replaced.

Mead Park's playground has seen better days. The town and Friends of Mead Park Playground, spearheaded by Chimera and Mahoney, are raising funds to have it replaced.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Long the site of tennis and baseball, Mead Park with its restaurant and playground also provides a place for families and kids of all ages to gather. These include Monica Chimera and Allyson Mahoney, New Canaan moms of young children.

“We love Mead Park because of its location,” said Mahoney. “It is close to downtown and the train station.

“But other moms have told us that they go to other towns to use parks because ours is in such poor condition.”

Wanting Mead Park to regain its glory, Chimera and Mahoney have partnered their non-profit, Friends of Mead Park Playground, with the town to help supplement the cost. The duo hopes to help raise an additional $203,000 to fully replace the play structure making it cleaner and safer as well as accessible for children with special needs.

“In addition,” added Mahoney, “we want to add more challenging elements for older elementary school kids. Many people feel their children have outgrown the park.”

The group is selling bricks to honor family and business donors at the playground’s entrance. And high-level donors will be recognized on the welcome sign.

“We love New Canaan and we want the park to be another shining example of our New Canaan Pride,” said Mahoney.

The current playground, by the way, will be donated to Kids Around the World, which takes old playgrounds and donates them to poverty stricken areas.

You can find more information on the group’s Facebook page Friends of Mead Park Playground and donate at Friends of Mead Park Playground

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