From Ashley B. Leduc of the Hinkley Helpers (www.hinkleyhelpers.com) –

Hinkley Helpers’ Launch Survey Results Show Community Supports New Playground

Respondents provide insights on the biggest issues, hopes for a new playground

Medfield, MA, July 12, 2022 – When Hinkley Helpers first announced its mission to fundraise, plan and rebuild a fun, safe, and inclusive playground at Hinkley Park, it also launched a survey to learn more about what the community loves and hopes for a new playground. Even kids participated with one respondent commenting, “Whenever I say ‘Let’s go to the playground,’ my five-year-old daughter ALWAYS replies ‘Not Hinkley. I want to go to a different playground!’”

Condition of the decades-old playground forces the community outside of Medfield

Over the course of about thirty days, more than 300 respondents provided insightful feedback, helping to inform Hinkley Helpers’ plans, and nearly all respondents support building a new playground. With a 2.7 out of 5 satisfaction rating (which is an awful Uber driver or passenger rating!), 75% of respondents take their children to playgrounds in neighboring towns, and 60% shop (e.g. run errands, dine out, etc.) in those towns when they visit, taking business out of Medfield. In fact, one respondent noted “Compared to other playgrounds in Medfield it’s consistent. Other towns blow us away.” 

Hinkley Helpers aims to resolve the community’s biggest issues and priorities

With a goal of providing a fun, safe and inclusive playground for all ages and abilities, Hinkley Helpers plans to tackle the issues and priorities voiced by survey respondents.

Biggest issues include:

• For ⅔ of respondents, broken and worn elements and outdated design are the biggest issues
• For ½ of the respondents, the ground covering posed an issue
• Nearly ⅓ noted the playground was not accessible, inclusive or adaptable, which directly relates to the outdated structure itself and the inaccessible ground-covering

Biggest priorities include:

• Nearly 80% of respondents want challenge elements appropriate for children of many ages and sizes and many commented on aging up the playground with more challenging elements for older kids (e.g. ninja warrior elements)
• ⅓ of respondents wanted more seating and picnic tables 
• ½ of respondents wanted areas of shade and cover from the sun 

So, what’s next? How can the community support?

From Hinkley Helpers’ research on playgrounds and their cost, the community needs to raise significant funds to address these issues and priorities. Hinkley Helpers has done extensive research on the cost of playgrounds, which you can read about here,  and is now asking the community to help support this monumental initiative. There are a variety of ways to support: 

• Have fun! Come to a Fundraiser hosted by The Pottery Place at Park St. Books to “Paint for the Playground.” One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Hinkley Helpers! Thank you Park Street Books and Jim James for continued support!
• Join the Community! Join the Hinkley Helpers and the Medfield community and provide a gift of any amount – $10, $25, $50, $100, $500, $1,000, $5,000 – which will directly help to build a fun, safe and inclusive playground. Hinkley Helpers is an initiative of The Medfield Foundation. Please include “Hinkley Helpers” in the Designation line when you donate here.
• Learn more! Email hinkleyrebuild@gmail.com to be the first to learn about updates before they are released to the public or to inquire about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities. 

# # #

About Hinkley Helpers

Founded in 2022, Hinkley Helpers, an initiative of the Medfield Foundation Inc., is driven by a mission to fundraise, plan and rebuild a safe, fun and inclusive playground at Hinkley Park. To learn more, visit www.hinkleyhelpers.com and www.facebook.com/HinkleyHelpers.

—