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Date: 7/19/2023
PALMER — After a two-year absence, Three Rivers celebrated the rejuvenation and rededication of Hryniewicz Park. The town officials and the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce hosted a July 14 ribbon cutting, signifying a new chapter for this community space.
Around $450,000 was pooled together to fund this expansive renovation project. A substantial portion originated from a Community Development Block Grant provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Contributions were also made by the state and from a private foundation.
Town Manager Ryan McNutt underscored, “The playground equipment had become very aged, not up to modern safety standards.” The concern prompted the decision to replace the old, worn-out equipment with newer, safer alternatives installed in a different park area to maximize safety and usability.
One of the central changes was installing a modern, rubberized base for the playground. The new playscape now boasts brightly colored, state-of-the-art equipment offering plenty of places to climb, swing, or explore.
“The park has always been beautiful,” McNutt said, “but things had gotten stale.” The endeavor’s goal was as much about restoring the vibrancy and the park’s appeal to the public as it was about its physical restoration.
The project received an additional boost from the Leo S. Walsh Foundation, which facilitated the restoration of the park’s pavilion.
The work included:
A fresh coat of paint.
Replacing some aged balusters.
An intensive cleaning and restoration operation to return the structure to its former glory.
John Latour, the community development director for Palmer, said, “The results are quite stunning. I’m a little biased, but seeing people enjoy it is genuinely encouraging,”
Latour confessed. “It was a concerted effort and a group effort by everybody.”
The park’s rededication carries immense historical relevance. It’s a heartfelt tribute to Frank Alphonse Hryniewicz, a young sailor who lost his life aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
His remains, unidentified until a breakthrough DNA test in 2019, finally confirmed his identity, allowing his memory to be honored fittingly. Hryniewicz enlisted in the Navy before World War II and was one of the 429 crew members killed in the attack.
A solemn memorial now stands where the USS Oklahoma resides, a stark reminder of the sacrifices made.
“This park is one of the last open areas in town,” revealed Town Councilor Matthew Lemieux, representing the district. “This being historic and being named after the Hryniewicz family is a profound blessing to the community.”
Kate Gancro, a resident visiting with her 2-year-old daughter, Emlyn, couldn’t help but appreciate the new equipment and enhanced safety measures. “She absolutely loves the park,” Gancro shared. “I liked those spinning flower tops. They’re very imaginative and engaging for the kids.”
The mom was particularly impressed with the new rubberized playground base and its safety features. “I adore the floors. Kids are tumbling left and right but getting right back up. It’s significantly safer,” she said.