Dedham Awarded $400K For Playground Renovation

DEDHAM, MA — A playground in Dedham is slated for safety, accessibility and equipment upgrades through a new state grant.

The town will receive $409,248 for the Lewis Playground Renovation at Memorial Park, according to an October grant announcement from the Healey-Driscoll administration. The project will replace deteriorated equipment, expand inclusive play opportunities and improve the overall experience for playground users.

The award is part of more than $13 million in state funding for park improvements, outdoor recreation projects and land conservation efforts across Massachusetts.

Lewis Playground, also known as Maryanne Lewis Playground, is located at Barnes Memorial Park on Eastern Avenue. The park also includes baseball, softball and soccer fields, restrooms, benches and other recreational facilities.

A capital budget presentation prepared by the Dedham Parks and Recreation Department identified limited accessibility at the existing playground as one of the reasons for pursuing the project. The town’s plans call for accessible routes, inclusive play elements and features that can be used by people of different abilities.

The department also cited safety concerns associated with the playground’s aging equipment. Modern equipment would offer improved fall protection and reduce the injury and liability risks associated with older structures, according to the presentation.

A construction schedule and information about potential playground closures were not included in the state announcement.

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