‘Maureen’s Dream’ Playground Dedicated in West Haven

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — More than 100 happy children, parents and volunteers came out Oct. 15 for the dedication and reopening of the refurbished Painter Park playground on Kelsey Avenue.

On a beautiful autumn day, Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, joined by other city officials, dedicated the wooden playground in honor of Kelsey Avenue resident and former city schoolteacher Maureen Blake.

Moments later, O’Brien signaled the reopening of the newly named “Maureen’s Dream” playground to the throng of anxious children, who immediately scampered into the fenced-in area to play on the castle-themed structure’s arsenal of swings and slides for the first time in six months.

O’Brien lauded Blake for leading a grassroots movement to bring a playground to the neighborhood more than two decades ago. He also praised the volunteers from four area Lowe’s stores, most of whom were accompanied by their families, for “your extraordinary dedication and selfless contributions” to the structure’s extensive rehabilitation.

O’Brien, who was surrounded by many of the Westies who constructed the original playground and many of the Lowe’s employees who restored the aging structure, also thanked the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Parks and Recreation Commission and the West Haven Fire Department for working together “to help the children of West Haven and this beloved playground.”

Blake, accompanied by her husband and three children, said the playground was a community and team effort that included the aid of numerous residents, including John Sullivan, a longtime ironworker who is now deceased.

“I want to thank my husband and my children for being my inspiration,” Blake said.

The dedication also featured remarks from city recreation program coordinator Tom Conroy, who organized the renovation project and helped O’Brien unveil the playground’s new sign, Maureen’s Dream.

Conroy said the playground was erected over five days in May 1994 by a group of about 100 volunteers with a shared vision for building for West Haven’s future.

The event was attended by commission Chairman David Coyle, Commissioner Richard Beirne and Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo, who supervises the Park-Rec department. They were joined by Park-Rec Director Bill Slater, Public Works Commissioner Dominic Perrotti, state Rep. Stephen D. Dargan, D-West Haven, and Lowe’s representatives, including Milford store manager John Cipriano and Derby store manager Peter Ouellette.

During the late morning ceremony, O’Brien presented plaques enshrined in appreciation to Blake and Lowe’s: “This playground is dedicated to Maureen Blake in recognition of her perseverance, dedication and organization in the construction of this playground in May 1994. Her inspiring role was supported by scores of fellow residents who also devoted their time, talents and energy to the project.

“A special thanks to Lowe’s of Derby, Milford, New Haven and Orange for their extraordinary volunteerism and invaluable donations to the renovation and restoration of this playground 22 years later.”

For five weeks, starting Aug. 26, dozens of Lowe’s employees painstakingly restored the playground for their annual “Lowe’s Heroes” community service project.

As part of their labor of love, the stores donated about $10,000 worth of materials, said Cipriano, who at the event applauded his fellow employees for their service and commended the city for its hospitality throughout the project.

According to city officials, the playground had fallen into disrepair and was ordered closed in April by West Haven’s insurance carrier due to safety concerns.

Two months later, Park-Rec received an estimate of $150,000 to $180,000 to rehabilitate the popular playground.

Thankfully, over the summer, Cipriano answered the call for help and contacted O’Brien through Marilyn Wilkes, chairwoman of the city’s Beautification Committee, about taking on the playground restoration for Lowe’s community outreach project. The company previously helped Wilkes with her Community Garden project behind the former Molloy Elementary School.

Cipriano, assisted by Ouellette, then mobilized a four-store team for the ambitious undertaking.

The work, done at no cost to city taxpayers, included replacing all swing set equipment and hardware, beams and boards and benches. It also included restabilizing the wooden retaining wall, adding picnic tables and fresh mulch and re-staining the playground.

West Haven firefighters pitched in by power-washing the playground before it was stained by Lowe’s.

The company, headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, has been “improving home improvement” for more than 60 years.

Pictured: Maureen Blake and Mayor Edward M. O’Brien flank the new “Maureen’s Dream” sign that O’Brien unveiled at the dedication and reopening of the refurbished Painter Park playground on Kelsey Avenue Oct. 15 in honor of Blake, a neighborhood resident and former city schoolteacher. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)