When Will the New Patton Park Playground Be Complete?

An abnormally rainy spring and summer combined with some missing parts have led to a lengthy assembly process for the new playground at Patton Park.

The delay will not increase the cost of the playground, which is being paid almost entirely by community donations.

“The initial shipment was missing certain parts and we expect them to ship soon,” said Town Manager Michael Lombardo. “That combined with the extended poor weather does indeed have the project falling behind the anticipated timeline.”

The missing parts, from the playground’s manufacturer, Park Street Playgrounds and Kompan, were expected to be shipped out this week.

Lombardo said he’s not comfortable estimating when the assembly will be completed, since there’s still variables such as when the missing part will arrive or other unforeseen issues may arise.

The playground is being put together by Probuilt Construction, according to Hamilton-Wenham Recreation Director Sean Timmons. Nothing has changed with the playground’s original design, he said, it was simply a piece that was not included in the original delivery of parts.

Assembly of the new playground broke ground this spring after a fundraising effort by the community-based Friends of Patton Park to pay for the $150,000 project.

The playground is state-of-the-art and will replaced older, more basic play structures that were in some cases rusty or missing bolts. Some of the former equipment is planned to be rehabilitated and installed at the School Street playground.