https://patch.com/massachusetts/medfield/hinkley-helpers-launches-rebuild-medfield-playground-nodx
Medfield, MA, April 13, 2022 — Hinkley Helpers, an initiative of the Medfield Foundation Inc., has announced its mission to fundraise, plan and rebuild a safe, fun and inclusive playground at Hinkley Park. With support from Medfield Parks and Recreation, who owns the property, Hinkley Helpers is launching a multi-year campaign to ensure the Medfield community has a modern, ADA-compliant playscape for generations of children, parents and caretakers, and grandparents to enjoy
Built more than twenty-five years ago when the world wide web was invented, flip phones were popular, and discmen was the latest technology, playground design has also advanced. Hinkley Helpers seeks to create a modern, ADA-compliant playground that is safe, fun and inclusive, and that will be enjoyed by everyone of all ages.
Building a playground that works for everyone ensures that our children play local with their neighbors and that parents and caregivers stay local, bringing business that would have been done in neighboring towns – like grocery shop, run errands, eat at restaurants – to small businesses in Medfield.
Hinkley Helpers owes a big, heartfelt thank you to a pillar of the community, Park Street Books & Toys, for its first donation, which was significant: $10,000. With everyone’s help, a new playground at Hinkley Park will soon be a reality.
Overheard on the Playground
“A thriving playground can transform a community, which I’ve seen firsthand. A dedicated group of Medfield parents and caregivers are passionate about this project and eager to bring safe, fun and inclusive play to the children of Medfield,” said Kelly Fallon, founder of Hinkley Helpers. “We aim to work with the community and collaborate with partners in town to ensure we bring the best playground to our children for generations to come.”
“The mission of Hinkley Helpers is vital to support the thriving town of Medfield. This initiative plans to raise private funds for public good and an improved playground at Hinkley Park,” said Kirsten Poler, president of The Medfield Foundation.
“I am excited about the prospect of bringing a new playground to Hinkley Park. Partners from the start, Hinkley Helpers and I are excited to see the amount of enthusiasm there is for this project from so many people. The playground is in desperate need of an overhaul that will allow access to many more children of Medfield,” said Kevin Ryder, Director of Parks & Recreation.
Jim James, owner of Park Street Books & Toys, noted, “Children learn through play. And what better place to play, explore, grow, and to meet friends than a fabulous new playground? Let’s build this for all of our children to enjoy for many years to come.”
Join the Fun at the Hinkley Helpers Launch Event!
On Sunday, May 15, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hinkley Helpers invites the public to its launch event to learn more about the project at the playground at Hinkley Park (51 Green Street, Medfield, MA 02052). Local food vendors ThankQue, Chubbs’ Ice Cream, Medfield House of Pizza, and The Hot Dog Wagon will be on hand as well as activities for kids, including face painting.
Want to support?
Hinkley Helpers is currently looking for support in three areas: community feedback, volunteers, and donations. To better understand the Medfield community’s needs and hopes for the park, Hinkley Helpers is asking all Medfieldians – parents and caretakers, business owners, longtime residents, etc. – to participate in the Hinkley Helpers Launch Survey.
In-kind donations such as demolition, landscaping, and providing venues for events, to name a few examples, will help decrease the dollars needed to erect a state-of-the-art facility, which the organization anticipates will cost approximately $500,000 or more. Donations will go directly to fundraising efforts for the playground, and contributions can be made in three ways:
- Online: https://www.nfggive.org/donation/04-3559057 (Include Hinkley Helpers in Designation Box)
- Venmo: @medfieldfoundation (Include Hinkley Helpers in the description)
- Check: Checks payable to Medfield Foundation, Memo Hinkley Helpers mailed to Medfield Foundation, PO Box 745, Medfield, MA 02052
The organization is actively seeking volunteers in various areas, including development, grant writing, event planning, and more. If interested, email hinkleyrebuild@gmail.com.