Accessibility improvements coming to Bliss Park in Longmeadow

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) – A grant was awarded to the Town of Longmeadow to improve accessibility access to the playground at Bliss Park.

A grant of $824,325 was awarded from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund will provide new playground equipment, benches and tables that are ADA compliant. The design will benefit children who are six months and older with all abilities.

The surface will include a new, porous rubberized surface and renovations to improve flooding issues.

“We are thrilled to have received an award from such a competitive program,” says Lyn Simmons, Town Manager. “This award will allow the Town to update another of our public playgrounds to a fully accessible destination for children of all abilities.”

The playground was built in 2006 as one of the only Boundless playgrounds in Hampden County, according to the Town of Longmeadow. Deterioration has plagued the park with missing or broken equipment, and a lack of accessible picnic tables and play tables.

In addition, the other playgrounds have reopened in Longmeadow to meet full ADA-accessibility standards. A grand opening of the playground at Center Elementary School will be held on Tuesday. Wolf Swamp Elementary School and Blueberry Hill Elementary School have also recently opened after renovations were completed this year.

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