Devon's Place Playground Reopens At Mathews Park In Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — City officials officially reopened Devon's Place Playground at Mathews Park on Wednesday following a months-long renovation project.

The playground has been temporarily closed since March 4 for renovations that included updating equipment and installing poured-in-place, or PIP, surface material for children to run and play on.

According to the city, PIP rubber is considered one of the best surfacing options for inclusive playgrounds as it allows for safe and easy play for children and is ADA-compliant.

The reopening ceremony Wednesday morning included a ribbon cutting with Mayor Harry Rilling, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, Common Council President Darlene Young, Director of Recreation and Parks Robert Stowers and Superintendent of Parks and Public Property Ken Hughes all in attendance.

"We're here for an exciting day, to announce the reopening of Devon's Playground that's been closed for quite some time so it can be renovated," Rilling said. "It's a show that the city's commitment to recreation and parks to get young people outside enjoying themselves, but Devon's Place is a little special. Devon's Place is a place that is friendly to those who might have physical challenges, and it shows the city's commitment to equity and inclusion, making sure that all young people have an opportunity to have a recreational opportunity."

Devon's Place first opened in 2004 and was created for children of all abilities to be able to enjoy, according to the city.

"If you look at the difference in this playground," Rilling said, "you should see where the poured material now, used to be mulch, is now poured so that somebody with a wheelchair can roll over it much more easily. It's designed to accommodate young people and their parents in a way that they can enjoy if they have physical challenges."

Stowers said the renovation project was part of an ongoing effort to improve the city's playgrounds and make them safe and welcoming for all children.

"Part of the job of Parks and Recreation, in fact part of their mission, is to build community," Stowers said, "and to build community includes inclusion of all our people, all our children, all our families, all our communities."

Young, who also serves as chairperson of the Common Council's Recreation and Parks Committee, said seeing the park reopened and extensively renovated brought her great joy.

"What a great thing to see the commitment that the city has to make sure that everybody, no matter their ability, has an opportunity to partake in recreation," Young said. "What drives people to a city and keeps them in a city is recreational opportunities, and so I am just so pleased and proud to be a part of a city that cares about that and understands the importance of that, and this park here is our commitment to the littlest of people."

Duff noted he was present at the initial ribbon cutting for the playground in 2004, when it was billed as "a playground for all children and all abilities."

"It was very exciting," Duff said, "because there was really only just a few of those around the state, but...now, it being used so often, it was time for an upgrade. It was time for the playground to get some new equipment."

Duff said the purpose of the project was also to show how the city continues to invest in its playgrounds and its youth by ensuring all children in Norwalk have the ability to have a good time.

"I see children and families enjoying this all the time," Duff said, "whether they're coming from Stepping Stones, whether I'm riding my bike from Oyster Shell Park and cutting through the park and I see all these families who are just really enjoying Devon's Playground."

Prior to cutting the ribbon, Rilling drew attention to a sign that reads "boundless playground" above the entrance.

"The sign up there says it all," Rilling said. "It's a 'boundless playground.' Young people of all levels, all challenges can come here and enjoy the outdoors like other children who may be more fortunate."