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A planned playground on the grounds of the Dr. Frederick N. Sweetsir School in Merrimac recently received a boost with a $10,000 donation from Haverhill Bank.
The donation was accepted by the Merrimac Commission on Disabilities and advances plans for a new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant playground. The Commission said the proposed inclusive playground will ensure all children, regardless of physical, cognitive, sensory or developmental abilities, have equal access to safe and engaging outdoor play.
“Watching parents, teachers and students get excited about bringing a new fully inclusive playground to Merrimac is amazing to see. We look forward to watching this project come to fruition,” said Merrimac Commission on Disabilities Chairman Chris Gaudet.
The check presentation was made by Haverhill Bank Chairman and CEO Thomas L. Mortimer, President and Chief Operating Officer Gregory J. Shaw and Vice President of Executive Administration Deven Marie Robinson. It was accepted by Gaudet and Commission Secretary Kathleen Sullivan.
With Haverhill Bank’s donation, Merrimac has collected a total of $14,250 towards the expected $225,000 cost of a new playground. Other donations have come from Ripple Fiber, Shea Concrete, TruNorth Bank, Needham Bank and Eastern Bank. The Town contracted Landscape Structures and O’Brien & Sons to assist in the development of the project. Commissioners have also applied for additional grants.
Officials said, the current Sweetsir playground is more than 30 years old. It is worn, requires repair, suffers drainage problems and lacks accessible pathways, making it difficult for children with disabilities to use the structure.