A Place For All: Bruce Park Playground Area Receives Improvements

GREENWICH, CT — The Bruce Park Playground and the surrounding area, a beloved spot for scores of Greenwich families, has been upgraded.

Earlier this week, the Town of Greenwich Department of Public Works announced the completion of improvements that make the playground and nearby area more accessible and safe for pedestrians.

A new sidewalk, leading up from Steamboat Road to the playground parking lot and entrance, was constructed. Additionally, new ramps which are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) were installed.

The playground's parking lot was also reconstructed, re-graded and repaved. Three new parking spaces were added as a result, and drainage improvements were made.

"We are thrilled that the new improvements will benefit the thousands of families who visit Bruce Park Playground and we thank the Department of Public Works for their help in this project," said Department of Parks and Recreation Director, Joe Siciliano.

First Selectman Fred Camillo said the improvements help to enhance one of Greenwich's greatest assets in Bruce Park.

"Our park land is beautiful and always has been. Anything we can do to improve access for all is a good thing, and to do so and provide pedestrian friendly measures so they can enjoy it in a safe manner is all for the good," Camillo said.

Other projects are taking place in the area, DPW said. A curb and sidewalk project is underway on Indian Harbor Drive, from Museum Drive to Orchard Place. A sight-line issue on Indian Harbor Drive will be remediated by shifting all street parking to the westerly side of the road.

A bicycle task force, which is working on increasing accessibility for cyclists in the area, is meeting regularly to come up with ideas, Camillo said.

"It's not as easy as [adding] hiking trails or sidewalks which are off the road. Bikes are sharing a road with vehicles, and that's always a concern. That takes a little bit more thought," Camillo said.

Alan Gunzburg, a town resident who has been a strong advocate for the disabled, is also a member of the First Selectman's Advisory Committee For People With Disabilities.

He praised DPW for their work in increasing access for all. He noted that the playground is considered a "boundless playground," meaning it's open and inclusive to all. He said the upgrades made sense.

"To update and upgrade the playground to facilitate the ability for people with disabilities to use the playground was coming, and is well-appreciated and should be well-served for the community going forward," he said.

"If a playground is great, it doesn't help anybody if you can't park well and you can't roll into it. Kudos to our partners at the Department of Public Works from us in the First Selectman's Advisory Committee For People With Disabilities. We think they've done an outstanding job and we thank them for what they've done," Gunzburg added.