Summer Spotlight: Cunningham Park Playground Program

The Milton Parks and Recreation Department’s Cunningham Park Playground Program is an eight-week summer day camp. Campers enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, according to Parks and Recreation Director Dave Perdios. 

“When the kids show up in the morning, they have free play,” said Perdios. “They can play wiffleball, do arts and crafts or hang with their friends. There’s something to do all the time, but we don’t assign kids to the activities. They find their own way.” 

Perdios added that each day includes three to five different activities, depending on whether there is a field trip. Campers enjoy swimming in the Cunningham Pool in the morning and the afternoon, and have free time to play board games, volleyball, cards or just to relax. 

The 200 campers participate in a variety of special events, from field trips to Canobie Lake Park, Water Wizz, Boston Bowl and the Museum of Science, to a talent show, movie days, birthday and piñata parties and a picture day. Throughout every activity, campers are accompanied by counselors and adult staff, including Recreation Director Paul DiManno. 

“We have fourteen counselors and four supervisors,” said Perdios. “All counselors are high school or college students, and are trained in first aid and certified in CPR.” 

When asked what makes the program unique, Perdios focused on the social component. 

“We have a lot of kids,” he said, “so it’s easy for them to make friends. It’s very hard for someone not to fit in. Kids can always find someone to associate with and become friends with.” 

Perdios added that the location and the affordability make the playground program unique in the town. 

“Cunningham Park is great to us, allowing us to use the property and the pool,” he said. “Also, at a cost of less than $100 a week, it really is a great deal.”