A construction crew has been hard at work digging holes and pouring cement to install equipment for a new playground at Swifts Beach. 

The playground will also include adult fitness equipment, a resurfaced basketball court and a pickleball court, said Christy Patalano, who is spearheading the project.

According to Patalano, the playground will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will allow people with mobility issues to engage with almost every part of the playground. 

During last year’s Fall Town Meeting the playground project was given $250,000 of community preservation funds.

However delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising cost of materials caused the project to go over-budget, said Patalano, with the playground’s original $250,000 price tag now only covering the cost of the children’s play area and exercise equipment. 

After discussions with Municipal Maintenance Director Dave Menard, the town agreed to resurface the existing basketball court and build a new pickleball court, said Marie Greig, a volunteer working on the project.

Even with the setbacks, the basic elements of the playground should be in place in around two weeks, said Patrick Gill, a construction worker at the site. 

Now the project looks forward to phase two, said Patalano, who hopes to replace old chain link fencing at the site and build a pavilion to provide shade to visitors. 

Due to the high number of summer residents who live in the Swifts Beach area, there would likely be a grand opening in early spring, said Greig.