Drew Caron
Londonderry Times
June 15, 2006
Within a couple of years, the town of Londonderry could finally have something that
meets the recreational needs of its youngest residents.
"We all have young children," said Melissa Coffey, co-chairman of the
Nutfield Moms’ playground committee. "We realized that we never go to the
playground in Londonderry because it is so run down."
The Nutfield Moms have started the process of trying to erect a new playground
for the town. According to Coffey and Lara McIntyre, the other co-chair, a
playground could be up and functional around the summer of 2008.
Right now, the club is in the process of evaluating possible sites and working
with the town’s recreation commission to make their dream a reality. Incidentally,
it turned out, the recreation commission had similar goals.
"We’re trying to assess where we’re starting from, what we have to do to it,
and what the positives and negatives are on each site," said McIntyre.
Three potential sites under review are on West Road by the soccer fields, the
Nelson fields behind the Central Fire Station, and a vacant lot on Sandborn Road
just down the street from North School.
If the Nelson site is chosen, the playground would replace the current play
structure that is next to the tennis courts at the LAFA complex. A playground on
West Road would be located behind the soccer fields where the storage area for
picnic tables currently is.
However, if the Sandborn Road site is chosen, the state Environmental Protection
Agency would become involved. The EPA would have to assess the property for usability
because it is estimated that the top 12 inches of land would have to be sifted.
The Nutfield Moms are planning to erect two play structures – one suitable for
toddlers and the other suitable for children ages five through 12. The structures would
include slides, climbing apparatuses like planks and ladders, and slides. They would be
constructed of a heavy duty plastic material. Swings are also planned.
The Moms are looking to model their project after the playground at Griffin Park in Windham.
According to Coffey, in addition to a playground, there is the possibility that a
walking trail could surround the site.
However, before a playground can become a reality, the Moms have to raise funds for
it. Considering that factor, the summer of 2008 still seems like a reasonable date
for the completion of the playground.
The Moms surveyed the opinions of some residents and are gong back to the recreation
commission for a meeting June 12.
Please e-mail the Moms at
nutfieldmomsclub@yahoo.com for further information or questions.
