A wooden tower and series of ramps rose last Wednesday at Dickinson Park, filling the place where FunSpace used to be. The old playground, built in 1989, that had offered a place for recreation until it was closed in early October and razed soon after, is being replaced by another play space.

Dan Corsetti of Pat Corsetti Inc watched as his crews ran machinery and installed playground features including the center tower on May 7. “It’s a focal point,” he said.

Of the build that started a month ago, he said work is going well. Soon to come will be pathways and safety surfacing in an around the play areas. Construction still has “a couple of months to go” before completion, Mr Corsetti said. The new playscape’s groundbreaking was October 22.

When working on the plan for a new playground at the town park on Elm Drive, Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold and Parks & Recreation Commission members had said they wish to replace the existing playground with something just as unique. Working with resident and landscape architect Billie Cohen, Ms Mangold’s department anticipates the construction of play features to incorporate nature, education, and an interactive experience for visitors to the park. They will enjoy butterfly gardens, splash pads, musical features, climbing surfaces, swings, and more. She looks forward to a late spring or summer opening.

A large sign with a visual rendering now greets park guests who wish to learn more about the project. The new $774,162 Dickinson Memorial Park Playground project is made possible through $438,000 in Capital Improvement Plan funds from the town, bonding, donation, and surcharge funding. Additional funding has been received through donations, many made in the wake of 12/14.

The new play space is replacing Funspace, which was constructed June 7-11, 1989 by volunteers.