By April Guilmet
Staff writer
Friday, August 4, 2006
LONDONDERRY — While the outdated playground on Nelson Road has been approved
for revamping, the main question is "when?"
It’s a question Melissa Coffey, a member of the Londonderry MOMS Club —
Moms Offering Moms Support — and co-chairman for the group’s Project Play,
is seeking to answer.
Currently comprised of about 60 Londonderry mothers, the MOMS Club membership
levels typically waver between 60 to 90 members. The group meets weekly when
members offer support to one another, and their children play together.
But the current playground, according to Coffey, is a place most prefer to avoid.
"It’s old and run down and in disrepair — and it’s outdated," she
said, adding she believed the playground to be about 20 years old.
Frustrated by the lack of a modern and safe play area, MOMS decided to take measures
into its own hands. The actions paid off — a proposal to build a new playground
on the site of the current playground was approved at the June 12 Recreation
Commission meeting.
Coffey said she expects the project to be extremely ambitious — and
expensive.
The group intends to remove all playground equipment, as well as the equipment in
the area currently housing a volleyball court. In the end, there will be all the
typical slides, swings and climbing structures and playground accoutrements, as
well as a four-seater seesaw. Separate areas for toddlers and older children are
planned and all will be handicapped accessible.
"We plan on having a farm theme, tying in to the town’s five apple orchards," said Coffey.
The burden of the expenses will fall on MOMS rather than the town, so
fundraisers are being planned. Since MOMS’s goal is to raise $150,000 for
this project, ground breaking isn’t expected for at least one or two years. "
It may take us a solid year to raise what we need," Coffey said.
The group’s initial fundraiser will debut at Londonderry Old Home Day.
A take-off on the popular “buy-a-brick” theme, Coffey said MOMS plans to
sell pickets for the future playground’s fence.
At $50 apiece, the pickets can be engraved and personalized. "It’s something
different — more New England-y," explained Coffey.
The group also plans to hold a "Touch-A-Truck" fundraiser in September,
where children between the ages of 2 and 8 can climb, play and get their pictures
taken on all kinds of large motor vehicles, which will be safely anchored in the
Nelson Field parking lot. Small donations will be welcomed.
When the playground is completed sometime in 2008, Coffey’s children, now ages 1
and 3 ½, will still be young enough to enjoy it.
"The town has been very supportive and when we’re ready, they’ll be
ready too," said Coffey.
