Town of Medfield Awards Hinkley Helpers $250,000 to Rebuild Playground

Town of Medfield Awards Hinkley Helpers $250,000 to Rebuild Community Playground

Hinkley Helpers Asks the Community to Close Gap by Year-End to Rebuild by 2023

On August 30, 2022, during the Town of Medfield Board of Selectman regular meeting, the Board voted to designate $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, to rebuild the playground at Stephen Hinkley Park, inclusive of a new fence. With the Hinkley Helpers in attendance, whose mission is to fundraise, plan and rebuild a fund, safe and inclusive playground at the park, the group has now reached more than half of their fundraising goal of $500,000 within three months of active fundraising.

“This $250,000 contribution from the Town has skyrocketed our fundraising efforts. We hope to build on this momentum with the support we’ve seen from the community hosting lemonade stands, creating team fundraisers, and joining our Playground Pals and Founding Families Giving Circles,” said Kelly Fallon, Founder of Hinkley Helpers. “We plan to continue to work closely with the Town and the community to bring the best playground to Medfield and create a destination for everyone in the community.”

Community Needs to Close the $200K Gap by Year-End for 2023 Build
Given the lead-time needed to purchase, ship, and install a playground of significant size to serve as an accessible and inclusive community destination, Hinkley Helpers needs to close its $200,000 fundraising gap by the end of the year to build for summer 2023. Once the funds are raised to rebuild the playground, the Town will conduct a request for proposal from playground equipment vendors listed on the Commonwealth’s approved vendor list. Hinkley Helpers will work closely with the Town and the community to plan and rebuild the playground.

To help inform fundraising and planning purposes, Hinkley Helpers has worked closely with playground vendors, KOMPAN and O’Brien & Sons, to understand costs and timing and to create renderings to help the community envision the possibilities for the playground. These renderings can be found at www.hinkleyhelpers.com, www.facebook.com/hinkleyhelpers, or the Hinkley Helper’s Booth #203 at Medfield Day.

Donate Now to Build by 2023!
Every contribution counts! Donate any amount - $10, $25, $500, join the “Playground Pals” or “Founding Families” by visiting www.hinkleyhelpers.com. To date, “Gold Level” sponsors include The Blue Moon Bagel Cafe, Roche Brothers, and Park Street Books & Toys, and many businesses, individuals, and families have also kindly contributed. For donations and sponsorships of more than $5,000, please email hinkleyrebuild@gmail.com.

About Hinkley Helpers
Founded in 2022, Hinkley Helpers, an initiative of the Medfield Foundation Inc., is driven by a mission to fundraise, plan and rebuild a safe, fun and inclusive playground at Stephen Hinkley Park. To learn more, visit www.hinkleyhelpers.com and www.facebook.com/HinkleyHelpers.