‘Take Granbrook Park Back Day’ Planned After Vandalism

EAST GRANBY, CT — East Granby officials are asking residents to help clean up Granbrook Park after vandalism damaged parts of a new playscape project.

The town announced that “Take Granbrook Park Back Day” will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6. Volunteers are being asked to help pick up trash, paint damaged playscape equipment, paint the snack shack and work on other areas of the park.

The volunteer day comes after First Selectperson Jason Hayes said stored pieces for the park’s new playscape were spray-painted last week. He also said people started a bonfire using materials at the site.

“We are all grateful for the outpouring of concern and frustration expressed over the senseless vandalism that took place last week, but even more so by the outpouring of desire to help,” Hayes said in the town’s update.

Granbrook Park is at 10 Granbrook Park Road. The town’s Parks and Recreation Department says the park includes a playground, access to Salmon Brook, a pavilion and outdoor grills.

East Granby has been working on several improvements at the park. Parks and Recreation officials previously said the old playscape was being removed and new play equipment was expected to be installed in early summer.

Other planned work includes resurfacing the basketball court, turning the old tennis courts into areas for 4-square, hopscotch and shuffleboard, adding a new water fountain and mister, and improving the softball field with a new scoreboard and batting cages to go with the new dugouts.

Hayes previously said the town had secured a full parts list and would replace any missing pieces. He also said security cameras would be installed within two weeks.

Town voters approved up to $50,671 for the Granbrook playscape and up to $13,600 for Granbrook fountains and a mister at a March 5 special town meeting, according to town meeting minutes.

Residents who want to volunteer on June 6 are asked to email INFO@EGTOWNHALL.COM.

“Granbrook Park is a treasure that should be enjoyed by all for generations to come,” Hayes said.

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