EAST HAVEN

A new and inclusive playground is coming to Joseph Melillo Middle School (JMMS), making it an addition to the growing number of new playscapes in East Haven and the overall recreational expansion of the town.

The new playground will be paid for using American Rescue Plan Act funds between $200,000 to $250,000, “which is more than it will probably cost,” said Michelle Benivegna, director of administration and management. She specified that the town also budgeted additionally for equipment, rendering, and cushioning that could be subject to change before installation.

“It’s a fluid number based on cost and demand and everything by the time we’re ready to install it,” clarified Benivegna.

The inclusive playground is one of seven that have been added to the town’s list of revamped or new facilities since 2019, including those at Memorial Field, Massachusetts Avenue, Michael Street, and the beach area. Mayor Joseph Carfora said the next location due for a new playground is the former Vernon Hays Elementary School, whose building was renovated two years ago to support other recreation and YMCA-sponsored summer camps.

The former playgrounds were left in disrepair before the current administration, according to Benivegna, with safety concerns and restrictive access for children with disabilities. The new playground at JMMS will rectify those issues and be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Inclusive play will come in the form of wheelchair-accessible equipment and wider ramps, Benivegna said.

“This was an opportunity to not just bring a safe place for kids to play, but also to feed that inclusive component, so that children of all walks and people who might have certain challenges can play comfortably and be with their peers,” said Benivegna. “So, it was a win-win for us.”

An inclusive playscape is not the only recreational addition the town is looking to see take form at JMMS. East Haven has also submitted a grant proposal to the state to make room for new pickleball courts at the middle school. The current plan calls for the construction of four pickleball courts, leaving one adjacent tennis court pending state approval of the grant.

The new facilities at JMMS and other previously revamped or installed playscapes are all part of a continuous collaborative effort between the Mayor’s Office and the Recreation Department to provide greater and expanded opportunities for play, athletics, and entertainment. Not only does it satisfy the requests of East Haven residents, but it’s also become a big attraction for residents of neighboring towns.

“As we were doing these playgrounds, we were getting more and more requests to make them all-inclusive,” said Carfora. “Also, there’s other people from other towns that come to our playgrounds. I think we’re way ahead of the curve here.”

To meet the hunger for pickleball, including from seniors, the Recreation Department will be holding indoor lessons for the sport at JMMS in January and February of 2024, according to department director Liz Spano.

East Haven premiered its first fall concert series this season, making up for July cancellations due to inclement weather. It’s a matter of looking for new ways to keep recreation thriving in town, involving the entire community with sponsorship with local businesses, and keeping the community excited, said officials.

“I’m really very, very proud of what we do with our community,” said Spano.

These and other programs can be accessed on the Recreation Department’s website, where families can be kept up to date with announcements of new classes.

“When you go on there and you sign your family up, you get an automatic alert, so everybody will get the alert now,” said Spano. “We do line dancing, so as soon as your family’s on it, an automatic alert will pop up, ‘Line Dancing Class.’ So, you’re alerted immediately.”

New classes that will be held at the former Vernon Hays building at 1 Maple Street this fall include guitar lessons, archery, culinary, and art classes, with the latter taught by Kristin Cafferty from East Haven Academy, said Spano. There’s more to look for in other parts of town this fall, too.

“We’re doing fall bocce now because it’s so popular. [In] November, we have ice skating things that are coming up,” said Spano. “We have the Yellowjacket Volleyball Camp. We have open pickleball.”

To register for Recreation Department programs, visit https://easthavenct.myrec.com/info/default.aspx.