Work is wrapping up on the first major improvement to Arnold Park in more than 20 years.
The improved park features a new street hockey court, an upgraded combination basketball court and street hockey court, and a new playground.
When finished, the complex will become the new home of the Abington Street Hockey League, a summer youth sports league that this year will feature 19 teams.
“I’m so pleased,” said Bryan Woodford, the president of the street hockey league, and a driving force behind the project. “I’m so pleased with the simplicity of it and multi-functionality of it. Its two good courts the town can use for whatever.”
The league had previously competed at the fenced in basketball courts at the Abington police station. Those courts were removed last year as part of the ongoing centralized fire station construction project. The league played on a pair of street hockey courts in South Weymouth last summer.
The basketball court that had existed at Arnold Park for more than two decades has been rebuilt. It features a new pavement coast, two new baskets, and a new fence.
Town Meeting approved spending $464,000 on the project, including $350,000 in Community Preservation Funds, and another $60,000 for the fending.
DANDEL Construction won the bid for $313,445 which includes the site prep work and construction of both playing surfaces, as well as disposal of the old materials. Kompan Playgrounds installed the the playground equipment for $136,500.
The existing aging playground has been removed and relocated. In its place is a new street hockey court, featuring an asphalt surface, and fencing. The surface will be painted shortly to feature the logo of the Boston Bruins Alumni, which has donated $50,000 toward the project.
Both courts also have bench space for street hockey teams or other groups that use the courts, as well as modest-sized digital scoreboards.
The playground, which was the oldest play structure in Abington following a multi-year effort to replace all of the town’s aging playgrounds, has been rebuilt about 50 feet to the north with all new equipment.
“We appreciate the ongoing support of the town’s voters, which have allowed us to make needed upgrades at parks across the Abington,” said Rachel Collins, who chairs both the Community Preservation Committee and the Parks and Rec Committee. “Upgrades like the one at Arnold Park gives Abington’s families safe, fun places to gather, play, and enjoy being outside.”
Work was originally scheduled to be completed July 1 but stretched past the deadline. One of the drivers is the asphalt painting, which was a late addition to the project. The asphalt surface has to cure for 30 days before it can be painted, Woodford said.
As a result, the start of the Abington Street Hockey League season has been pushed back to July 29.
The work also includes some site work that will allow for the installation of lights later on. One of Woodford’s personal connections was able to secure the donation of three light posts from Braintree Electric Light Department.
Am official ribbon cutting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29 at 5 p.m., weather permitting.
