Grand Opening Of The New Stephen Hinkley Playground

Grand Opening Of The New Stephen Hinkley Playground

On Sunday afternoon, September 15, 2024, under bright sunny skies, the townspeople in Medfield turned out in droves for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the new playground at Stephen Hinkley Memorial Park on Green Street.

The new playground was the vision of the “Hinkley Helpers” headed by Co-chairs Kelly Fallon and Ashley Leduc along with many other Medfield moms with hopes of creating a larger, more inclusive and safer area for children to gather and play. This group worked tirelessly raising funds and awareness to get this project approved and constructed. They worked their magic and did it well.

In attendance were members of the Park & Recreation Commission, members of the MPD and the MFD, members of the Select Board, honored guests and many who individuals, business and organization representatives who supported this project. Once assembled, the co-chairs of Hinkley Helpers took to the stage area to thank the people who attended, as well as all who helped make this playground come to fruition. They also recognized Paul, Suzie and Richard Hinkley, the three siblings of the late Stephen David Hinkley.

In addition to the speeches, the kids enjoyed exploring all the fun places within the playground, and got their faces painted, played games and grab a treat from the ice cream truck on a hot day.

The following speakers said a few words, followed by State Senator Becca Rausch and all the children and honored guests for the ribbon cutting. Speakers were:

• Katie Walper, Director of Park and Recreation
• Mel Seibolt, Park and Recreation Commissioner
• Select Board Chairperson Eileen Murphy
• Norfolk County Comissioner Richard Staiti
• State Representative Marcus Vaughn
• State Senator Becca Rausch
• Norfolk County Comissioner Richard Staiti
• MFi President Kristen Poler
• Hinkley Helper Maria Burke
• Kelly Fallon, Hinkley Helpers Co-Chair
• Ashley Leduc, Hinkley Helpers Co-Chair

The "Stephen Hinkley Memorial Park" is named in memory of former Medfield resident and Lance Corporal of the United States Marine Corp. who died at the tender age of 19, killed in action in Vietnam on May 6, 1968. A few years after Hinkley's tragic passing, in 1970, the Town chose to honor his memory and dedicate the swim pond area, naming it the Stephen Hinkley Memorial Park, as it is still called today.