Marblehead's Hobbs Playground About To Get Accessible Makeover

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Hobbs Playground will soon gain a new, more accessible look with the help of the Marblehead Family Fund and Marblehead Rotary.

The MFF, whose mission is to improve the town';s playgrounds, parks and open spaces, raised $300,000 for the project amid the COVID-19 health crisis through the donations of individuals, families, businesses and civic organizations.

The project also includes $62,000 in funding from a Municipal Americans With Disabilities Act Improvement Project grant and $25,000 from the Marblehead Rotary.

Included in the plans for the new playground are The Cozy Dome, a unique climbing structure that will allow children to escape and just observe; the Giggle Jiggler, a moving platform where children will be able to sit or stand to challenge their muscles and strengthen their core; The Pod Steppers, which will encourage planning, balance and motor skills as children hop from one pod to the next; and a Boppity Bridge, which will give children a chance to work on their climbing skills.

The Marblehead Recreation & Parks Department and the MFF will work together to maintain the playground after the enhancements take place.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)