NASHUA – Greeley Park is the best spot for a new playground in Nashua designed for special needs children because of its ability to accommodate autistic children, among other benefits, officials said Thursday.
The Board of Public Works voted 4-1 to recommend building the future Legacy Playground at Greeley and to pursue the support of Ward 3 Alderman Diane Sheehan. Commissioner Tracy Pappas voted against.
“I think we have broken, old equipment that’s very outdated or dangerous that I’d like to see replaced and if it can be more accessible, that’s great,” Sheehan said Monday, “and I’m looking forward to seeing the plans.”
Eventually Sheehan will need to propose legislation for a final layout, said Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, who chairs the public works board.
The park should cost $250,000-$300,000 to build, Park & Recreation Superintendent Nick Caggiano estimated. The goal is to do the work without taxpayers’ dollars, Lozeau said.
A fundraising group already has raised nearly $100,000 for the park and the city is eyeing possible grant money through a leadership training program called “Let Them Be Kids” that would match whatever is raised.
City staff compared Greeley Park and Sargent Avenue for the playground before deciding that Greeley Park is the best place to build.
The plan is to keep Greeley’s existing playground footprint and to replace old equipment with equipment that would be handicapped accessible and geared toward the special needs community.![]()
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