By Bob McGarry, Haddam First Selectman
(August 22, 2024) — If you’ve driven by the former Haddam Elementary School lately, you’ve seen the new playscape being installed. The bright blue (more on that later) structure has three elements: swings, a large structure for older children, and a smaller structure for younger ones. There will also be three benches for parents.
The playscape is being funded by a grant we received from the state thanks to the efforts of State Rep. Christine Palm. It’s patterned after one at Butternut Hollow Park in Middletown. That design was chosen because it was the most recommended playscape in response to a Facebook post by our town planner. The bright colors are attractive to children and also eye-catching. We want the playscape to pop out to people driving by HES with the expectation that some of them will bring their children to HES to play and get a meal, snacks or do some shopping in Higganum Center.
If we want to revitalize Higganum Center, we have to draw people to it. Other First Selectmen I’ve talked to tell me they’re surprised how successful a playscape is in doing that. The Shad Museum adds to that draw by giving the parents/grandparents something to do while they’re watching their kids, as well as a chance to teach their children about a unique piece of our history. Weather permitting, the playscape will be completed in early September. We’ll hold a ribbon cutting to officially mark the occasion. The grounds around the play area will be seeded and four shade trees planted later in the fall. Additional landscaping will follow next year.
And what’s happening with the school building? In a word: paperwork. We have to finalize the lease and development agreement with Rak. After the agreement is signed, we start the paperwork with the state. That all has to be reviewed by the Attorney General’s office. If past experience is a guide, the entire process will take months. While this is going on, Rak Realty has to do their detailed plans, get Planning and Zoning approval, and obtain the necessary permits. If all of this goes smoothly and everything lines up, renovation of HES may start in late winter or early spring.
Photo provided by Town of Haddam
