$250K Grant Helps Bedford Upgrade 30-Year-Old Playground In Bedford Hills

Press release from the Town of Bedford:

Bedford Upgrades 30 year old playground in Bedford Hills

Bedford, NY—The Town of Bedford is pleased to announce that work on its new accessible playground in Bedford Hills Memorial Park (BHMP) will begin on October 28, 2023 and conclude early December, weather permitting.

Playgrounds provide an essential venue for play, social engagement, learning and exercise for children and families. Based on community feedback and a desire to build a playground that would be more inclusive of children with varying abilities, the Bedford Town Board advocated for state funding to support this project. Assemblymember Chris Burdick helped secure a $250,000 NYS grant and the Town Board approved $400,000 in capital funds to bring this exciting project to life.

The current playground is a highly utilized park amenity that was designed and constructed approximately 30 years ago. The Town Board and the Recreation & Parks Department are thrilled to provide the community with an upgraded, state-of-the-art playground that is accessible to children of all abilities. “The new playground will incorporate design elements that will engage children in creative, dramatic and sensory play; provide access to children in wheelchairs; provide a safe and secure setting; and permit children to engage at a level of challenge that offers individual opportunities to succeed,” said Recreation & Parks Superintendent Chris Soi.

The new playground will feature a poured-in rubber surface that permits optimum levels of mobility, natural and physical shade structures, will be full enclosed by fencing and ADA compliant.

"I am delighted to be able to break ground on this exciting community project. We are grateful to our community for providing critical feedback that helped to inform the design and especially grateful to NYS Assemblymember Chris Burdick, District 93, who helped us secure grant funding in the amount of $250,000 through the New York State & Municipal (SAM) Program," said Supervisor Ellen Calves.

"I am thrilled to see so many accessible, inclusive playgrounds being built in the 93rd Assembly District. I’m especially pleased that I was able to help fund one right here in Bedford, which has a longstanding reputation for being a welcoming and caring community. What better way to build on that reputation than by providing a playground that children of all abilities can enjoy,” said Assemblymember Chris Burdick.

All welcome. Join us to swing, slide and play early December.

This press release was produced by the Town of Bedford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.