Park Renaming For Late Middletown Twp. Supervisor

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A township park will be renamed on Friday in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to honor the late Supervisor Anna Payne.

The township will officially rename Cobalt Ridge Playground as Supervisor Anna Payne Memorial Park at a ceremony at 4 p.m. on Friday.

The public is invited to attend the event, which will honor Payne’s legacy and her impact on the community.

The playground — originally constructed in August 2022 — was the township’s first inclusive and accessible playground.

According to the township, the space was designed to ensure children of all abilities can play and interact together.

The township said Payne was a driving force behind the project and advocated for a space where children feel welcome, supported, and included.

The park has added meaning because Payne grew up in the Cobalt Ridge neighborhood, officials said.

Her work helped shape a playground with wheelchair-accessible elements, solitude seating designed for children on the autism spectrum, interactive music features, and adaptive swings that allow children and caregivers to sit face-to-face.

“I really can’t think of a more fitting tribute,” Supervisor Mike Ksiazek said. “It’s important that Anna’s legacy lives on, and this is something she would be proud of.”

Payne, 37, lived with cystic fibrosis her entire life and battled stage four colon cancer for four years, according to the township.

The township said she was also an advocate for individuals with rare illnesses and worked to create a more inclusive community.

The renaming is intended as a lasting tribute to Payne’s dedication, especially in the neighborhood where she grew up and near a park she helped champion.

“Anna’s impact on this community will not be forgotten,” said Supervisors Chairwoman Bernadette Hannah. “This park stands as a reflection of her commitment to inclusion, compassion, and service to others.”

The May 1 ceremony will include remarks from township leadership and elected officials, followed by a community celebration.

A commemorative garden at the park entrance was made possible through a donation from the Middletown Township Community Foundation.

The installation was completed through donated time and services by Foraker Landscaping.