After Years of Planning, Installation of First Phase of Inclusive Playground Equipment Ready to Get Started
By Jeff Toquinto on October 01, 2024
When it comes to an accurate price tag for the currently under construction Medbrook Children’s Charity Inclusive Playground, it is hard to gauge. When it comes to the eventual impact it will have, that too, will be hard to pinpoint.
What those that have been involved with the project since its inception is the answer to both is that it will be big.
Despite some rare rainy weather, construction is still progressing on the playground being built at The Bridge Sports and Recreation C
omplex. For those unsure of its location, it is directly to the right side of the Citynet Center building at the complex and has been going full throttle for months.
omplex. For those unsure of its location, it is directly to the right side of the Citynet Center building at the complex and has been going full throttle for months.
Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth, one of the key players involved with the project, said it is well above a seven-figure project.
“As designed, it is in the $1.5 million range, but when you throw in the donated labor, discounted materials, donated equipment or even other items discounted, you’re probably pushing up a few hundred thousand more dollars,” said Shuttleworth. “There has been a lot of volunteers involved and our city departments, particularly public works, have pitched in.”
All things being equal, Shuttleworth said he and others involved would like to have seen moving ahead a bit faster. However, he said that is not a complaint.
“This is completely a grassroots program and when you’re setting up time frames, you have to take that into account because people are donating their time, even businesses, so you take advantage of them when you can get them,” said Shuttleworth. “We’re also dealing with fundraising still and you’ve seen so much effort and generosity from Andy and Lisa Lang and so many members of the community.”
The funding has come from multiple sources. There was an initial investment from the city, but the bulk has been raised through corporate
donations, various small and large donations, grants, and more.
donations, various small and large donations, grants, and more.
And you can still contribute.
“If people want to donate, be a part of this, and get their name on that plaque recognizing those who made this possible, we still have forms available to provide donations,” said Andy Lang, one of the key figures in getting this started with his wife Lisa, who happens to double as the city’s mayor. “Contact the city and they can help and they can contact me.”
The playground, said Shuttleworth, is more like a park. He said it covers roughly one acre and consists of multiple areas, each of which he said could be considered its own playground.
The prep work is essentially completed. Shuttleworth said a key part involving the grading, the earthwork needed, along with the base gravel being down has been done by a volunteer contractor. Drainage and other site work is also complete.
“They will start installing the playground equipment next week,” said Shuttleworth. “As they finish the installation, the city’s concrete crew 
will come in behind them and start installing sidewalks and curbing.”
will come in behind them and start installing sidewalks and curbing.”
The process will also include putting down the poured and played surface (the rubbery, ADA compliant surface found in most indoor facilities). It will touch up against all corners of the playground.
Other details will be done as well in the weeks ahead and early next spring. Shuttleworth said there are four phases of installing equipment and three of those phases are funded and will be installed.
“We’ll do the phases from closest to the building and out,” he said. “We hope to have the majority of the playground, or a significant portion of it, open to the public by spring.”
Editor's Note: Top photo shows equipment in place at the new playground earlier this summer, while the second photo shows work being done earlier this month. Bottom photo shows Joe Shuttleworth, the director of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation.
