Committee plans August finish for Swampscott park

SWAMPSCOT – An August installation is still planned for a new community playground in lower Jackson Park near the former Machon Elementary School.Kevin Donaher, one of the founders of the Jackson Park Playground Committee, said he hoped the project would be completed by the end of the summer.Much of the work has already been done on the site. The portable classroom from the Machon School and the basketball court have been removed.The ad hoc committee has raised more than $80,000 for the project and some area businesses are donating in-kind services.Donaher said Aggregate Industries is donating the surface materials for the playground and volunteers are needed to help truck materials from Aggregate to the site. He added the committee is also in need of carpenters to make forms for the walkways and landscapers who are willing to donate plantings.Donaher said the project, which has been in the works for several years, would benefit the entire community.?It’s more than a playground,” he said. “It will provide passive recreational space for the entire community. There will be benches, bushes and other plantings. It will beautify the entire area. It is going to look so nice when it’s done.”Donaher said the committee hopes the park would serve as a focal point for the community.?Once the park is complete we want to have community events there to help build community spirit,” he said.Anyone who would like to make a tax deductible contribution to the playground project should send their donation to the Swampscott Rotary Club Charitable Trust/ JP Project, P. O. Box 36, Swampscott 01907. Anyone who would like to volunteer to assist with the installation or make an in-kind donation should contact Donaher at 617-512-3714.