Printer Friendly Version - Branford’s Newest Playground Opens at Foote Memorial Park

On Dec. 1, one of the slides in Foote Park’s new playground gets a test run by Sadie Thompson, 2½ , with help from mom Lauren Thompson, dad Chad Thompson and (at right) Branford Parks and Recreation Director Alex Palluzzi Jr. Photo Courtesy Alex Palluzzi Jr.

Branford’s newest playground is open at Foote Memorial Park on Melrose Avenue. On Thursday, Dec. 1, Branford Parks and Recreation Director Alex Palluzzi Jr. said the newly completed playground and its colorful, interactive elements for ages 2 through 5 and ages 5 through 9, were open and ready for public play.

The Foote Park Trust provided 2 separate grants totaling $135,000 to complete the project. The Trust provided $60,000 in 2021 and $75,000 in 2022, Palluzzi noted.

Palluzzi said the project was efficiently installed by contractor Thompson Yellow LLC (TX), including working some “late nights” under portable field lights in recent weeks. The team began the work in late October and had the park ready for final equipment installation to start on Monday, November 29.

He also credits the “diligent work” of Branford Public Works for the removal of the former playground equipment this fall, and preparation of the site for installation, assisted by the Parks and Recreation Department maintenance team. Additionally, Palluzzi thanked Dale Izzo, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, the Board of Recreation, and collaborative input from those including Branford mom Marta Kenney (and daughter, Caroline) and community members who assisted in the design, color and equipment selections. On Dec. 1, Palluzzi was joined at Foote Park’s new playground by another helpful community family, mom Lauren Thompson, dad Chad Thompson and their daughter, Sadie, 2½ , who was happy to test out playground elements including one of the slides.

The opening of the new playground at Foote Park adds up to Branford’s fifth state-of-the-art playground installed in the past 8 years. Each features commercial playground equipment from provider Kopman (TX). Other Kopman playgrounds in town are at Branford Hills Park, Hammer Field, Bayview Park (Stony Creek) and Pardee Park (Short Beach). Palluzzi said special thanks are due to Kopman’s Summer Berube and Jay Davis for their assistance.

Palluzzi also remarked this is the third Branford playground to open on December 1 in recent years.

“Bayview Park, Stony Creek opened on December 1, 2013, and Pardee Park Playground in Short Beach opened on December 1, 2016,” said Palluzzi. “It’s a cold time of year, but people still go.”

In addition to the new playground, plans are in the works to develop and install an architect-designed splash pad at Foote Park. The project is being developed with collaborative assistance that once again includes community members, said Palluzzi.

The splash pad design is expected to be readied by the beginning of 2023; plans will then need to receive Planning and Zoning Commission approval in order to go forward with a hoped-for installation later in 2023.