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Volunteers assemble a new playscape for Nash Park

Date: 9/5/2014

CHICOPEE – It just took a weekend to transform Nash Park. Thanks to a legion of volunteers a new playscape for younger children was erected over the Labor Day weekend.

On Aug. 29, work began with members of the Chicopee Comprehensive High School football team and students from the Westover Job Corps joining city employees in preparing the site for the new playground equipment.

Looking on at the progress being made was Mayor Richard Kos who said, “It’s what makes Chicopee special. In 48 hours, we’ll enhance a park, we’ll enhance a neighborhood, and we’ll enhance a community.”
   
Carolyn Porter, superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department, told Reminder Publications that 50 volunteers would be involved in the project. She showed a list of sponsors of the events, which included Doogan’s Deli, Maggio’s Restaurant, Starbucks, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Bob’s Bakery, Home Depot, Big Y, Edible Arrangements, Stop & Shop and J. Polep Distribution that were supplying food and other items to support the volunteers.
   
The new play area was funded through a grant from Kablam!, the charitable arm of Dr. Pepper Snapple that helps communities build playgrounds. The city has undertaken a campaign to raise $5,000 and Porter said that almost 20 percent of the goal has been reached with 68 days left in the effort.
   
Nash Park, she said, has a three baseball diamonds, a soccer field, a skate and bike park, a basketball court and a wading pool with comfort station. She said the park has additional possibilities for improvement and noted she would like to have a “skinned” softball diamond installed. The “skinned” description means taking all of the grass out of the infield, she explained, which allows for the diamond’s size to be altered.
   
“We’re not done with it [Nash Park],” Porter said. She said that renovations are needed in a number of the city parks.