Medway Celebrates Reopening of Two Parks

Oakland Park in Medway was reopened November 3rd with great fanfare. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place, unveiling the park to the public. Due to the rain, the ceremony took place inside the Medway Senior Center at 76 Oakland Street. Close to 60 people gathered together to listen to opening remarks from Selectman, Glenn Trindade. Serving as MC for the day, he had the honor of introducing Senate President, Karen Spilka, as well as Representatives Jeffrey Roy and Brian Murray.
The highlight of the day came, however, with the dedication of the park playground to long-term Selectman Paul DeSimone. Richard Parrella, trusted friend of the DeSimone family accepted the plaque on their behalf. He gave an eloquent tribute to Mr. DeSimone, honoring him for his service to the Town of Medway. The rain cleared up just in time for all to walk over to the playground for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The park was immediately filled with laughter and excitement as a group of children ran into play.
The second park opening in town, for Choate Park, happened a week later. The frigid temperatures did not keep adults or eager children away on Saturday, November 10 for the grand reopening of the Choate Park playground. Members of the extended Choate family gathered in the wet weather under the new pavilion next to the playground and the pond. Rich Choate, who grew up in Medway, traveled from his home in New Hampshire and recalled that the last time his family had gathered as a group at the park was for the dedication of the snack bar building in the late 1970’s. Choate noted, “My grandfather worked for the highway department and the parks department and made sure the playground equipment stayed in good repair.”
At the Choate Park dedication, Town Administrator Michael Boynton said, “This is an environmentally sensitive area, [next to Choate Pond] and it took numerous groups working together to make this a reality. The total cost for the project was 4.8 million, and the state kicked in only $350,000. We spent $2 million in Community Preservation Coalition [CPC] funds.” He continued, “What was planned as a playground rehab at Oakland and Choate Park morphed into a complex project. It was planned to be done by early October, and here we are in early November. The only difference is 25 degrees, but who’s counting?” Boynton’s weather reference brought laughter from the crowd.
While the adults spoke about what it took to complete the project, children were eagerly exploring the new playground equipment at Choate Park. Environmental protections next to the pond will remain in place till the spring and the new (old) entrance to Choate Park, with traffic signals and access directly from Rt. 109, also await completion till next spring. For now, the only access to the park remains through Mechanic Street.
Selectman Dennis Crowley told the crowd, “This is your tax dollars at work. We have a vision and will come back to you (but not tomorrow!). We started with the rehabilitation of the Thayer House, now Oakland Park and Choate Park. We are looking to other places for us to leave something for those who come after us in the future.”