Dighton's got a brand new accessible playground. Here's what's in it.

Michael J. DeCicco
·3 min read

DIGHTON — The new North Dighton Playground at School and Prospect streets replaces a play area that was demolished years ago with a grand state-of-the-art attraction for children of all ages and abilities.

It was once a play area that featured metallic swings and monkey bars, until it was removed 16 years ago "due to failure of equipment and vandalism," Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Kevin Smith Jr. said.

"This new park is something that the neighborhood has been asking for since then," Smith said.

The new play area features modern equipment more accessible to children with disabilities, and it provides more playful educational opportunities for all kids.

There are interactive educational play panels including one where children can create the musical scale on colorful bongos; a "universal carousel" wide enough for a child using a wheelchair to ride on; an inclusive-style see-saw; and a swing set with seats people who have disabilities can easily fit into.

There's even a "Witch's Tower" with a safety slide and climbing nets and a sand play area with mini-excavator shovels.

"The goal was to make it as accessible as possible and as inclusive as possible," Smith said, "given the specifications and budget we had to work with. I'm glad we succeeded."

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The baseball field and basketball court that fronts the property are also new and more accessible. They feature new fencing, concrete dugouts with new aluminum benches and LED lighting. An ADA-accessible walkway leads from the parking area to the court behind the field.

Dighton has a brand new playground, the North Dighton Playground at School and Prospect streets, which had a grand opening on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, but the playground was in use even before the ribbon was officially cut, seen here a couple of days before.
Dighton has a brand new playground, the North Dighton Playground at School and Prospect streets, which had a grand opening on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, but the playground was in use even before the ribbon was officially cut, seen here a couple of days before.

After years of proposals tabled or shot down, $210,000 of Community Preservation Act funds was unanimously approved for the park and playground rehab project in the spring of 2022.  Excavation started in July.  Installation started in September. The ribbon-cutting grand opening occurred on Oct. 9.

But the new playground was in use days before that ribbon was cut.  A couple of days before the ceremony, Park and Recreation Commissioner Rachel Goulart, who lives near the new play area, was observing her 8-year-old son Corbin enjoy the carousel.

"It's better use of the park than ever before," she said. "Kids are always here."

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Corbin himself said with a non-committal shrug but a broad smile, "It's pretty good."

Nine-year-old Tyler Novick's feelings about the park were more emphatic.

"It's so nice," he said. "I really like it."

Smith said it is important to note the total value of the renovations was $247,000. The remainder of that cost after the $210,000 was paid through in-kind contributions, work done by the Dighton Highway Department, which also paid for much of the materials, and a volunteer installation effort.

He also noted the wood blocks that will serve as natural seating on the walkway are from the old Berkley-Dighton Bridge and the round stone landscaping of the walkway were also donated.

"I'm excited we succeeded here," he said. "We achieved the goal we had in mind."

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Accessible North Dighton Playground opens at School, Prospect streets