Bedford Village Park's New Playground Dedicated

On a sunny Saturday morning, staff, officials and several little kids were present for the dedication of the new playground at Bedford Village Memorial Park.

The ceremony included a ribbon cutting followed by two kids taking trips down the long tubular slides. 

Having a new playground was a result of a master plan for the park, which was done in 2008, according to William Heidepriem, who is the Town of Bedford's Superintendent of Recreation & Parks. He explained that the new playground was a consolidation of two spaces, which were located in different sections of the park, in order to provide parents with younger children and older children a single space instead of splitting time.

Aside from the two new playground equipment clusters, there is a new pathway that comes from the park's entrance on Greenwich Road. This new pathway allows for people to enter the park without crossing the parking lot, according to Heidepriem.

Instrumental in the new playground was the Bedford Village Chowder & Marching Club (C&M), which donated $20,000 towards it, according to Heidepriem. He also noted that the group has provided support for several items at the park, including an entrance, a pavilion and a gazebo. A large check depicting the donation was on hand.

Work on the new playground took 39 days, according to Heidepriem, and came in on time and within its budget.

Also supporting the town were Bedford Youth Soccer Club and Castleford Rovers, who donated $8,500 for a new portable light tower (their check was also displayed). Heidepriem noted that this will help with playing soccer during extended practice, while the town will benefit in several ways. The tower will be shared by town departments, including police and department of public works. 

The dedication was also notable because it is one of the last major acts for Supervisor Lee Roberts, who is leaving her office at the end of the year. She was presented a bouquet of flowers, while her daughter, Kate King, and her grandson, Will King, were present. Councilman (and Supervisor elect) Chris Burdick was at the dedication, along with Councilwoman elect Mary Beth Kass and several town staff members.