Pappas Rehab Hospital dedicates new playground

Rep. Bill Galvin joins with a Pappas student in cutting the ribbon on one of the new pieces of equipment at the Tom “Red” Martin Play Together Park. (Photo courtesy of PRHC)

Brian V. Devin, chief executive officer of the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, was in his office when school nurses Dawn Beaulieu and Regina Kennedy walked in and said, “Hey, we need a playground.” Devin’s response was, “Hey, I need a lot of money.”

But thanks to the hard work and generosity of many people, that wishful thinking has now become a reality, culminating last Monday with the dedication of phase one of the Tom “Red” Martin Play Together Park.

Located on the grounds of the Canton-based pediatric hospital and school, the new park is an inclusive playground comprising six pieces of equipment, of which five can be used by students at Pappas. The park’s namesake, the late Tom Martin, was very involved at the school and served on its board of trustees. A longtime Canton resident and former U.S. Olympic hockey player, Martin passed away last July at the age of 79. His company, Cramer Productions, held its inaugural Founder’s celebration with activities at the Norwood headquarters. The day then culminated with the dedication of the playground in Martin’s honor.

The new playground cost $275,000. Beaulieu and Kennedy successfully encouraged employees from all three shifts at the school to give of their own time to put on a talent show to raise funds for the project, and the show now continues as an annual event. Additional monies came from a number of sources, including the Canton Town Club, which hosted a dinner, and the Milton Players, who performed an extravagant show and donated all proceeds to the playground.

During the dedication ceremony, Devin said that naming a library or conference room after Martin would not have done justice to the man. Instead, the playground captures the “can-do spirit” that Martin exemplified. “This will be a place where the kids of Pappas will come to discover the able body that lives within each of them,” Devin said.

State Representative Bill Galvin and state Senator Walter Timilty each brought proclamations from the legislature extending congratulations to the Martin family and honoring the memory of Tom Martin. Martin’s son Tim unveiled a commemorative stone that was installed just outside the playground and then Martin’s widow, June Martin, addressed the crowd.

June Martin cuts the ribbon at the dedication of the new playground named in her late husband’s honor. (Photo courtesy of PRHC)

“This is such a special playground,” she said. “It’s so beautiful. Our family is so proud that it bears the name of Tom Martin. Tom would be overjoyed. We’re so grateful to be a small part of the great things that happen here.”

The playground was decorated with red ribbons and balloons in honor of Martin’s nickname. June Martin cut the ribbon to the playground’s entrance and then guests escorted Pappas students into the park to cut the ribbons on each piece of equipment.

Michelle Sweeney, director of physical education at Pappas, escorted Elizabeth and Matthew to the climbing structure; Galvin escorted Clune to the oval swing; Dawn LaBrie and Harriet Ryan from the Milton Players escorted Jamir and Kyran to the swings; Canton Selectman Tom Theodore, who also represented the Canton Town Club, escorted Julia to the orbit spinner; Timilty escorted Ella and Riley to the Rock and Wave; and Linda and John DeBenedictis, from the Cantonese Family Foundation, escorted Hannah to the Turn Across.

Once all of the ribbons were cut, the playground was declared open and students were invited inside to play. Refreshments were served after the ceremony.

The playground is now open to the public for use by all children. Two additional pieces of equipment, a roller table and exploring matrix, will be installed as part of phase two of the project. When the playground is completed, it will be a National Demonstration Site — a designation awarded by PlayCore signifying best practices in outdoor recreation. Additional funds are needed to complete phase two. To donate, go to www.mhsf.us/donate and select “Playground” from the list of donation categories.

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Posted by Mary Ann Price on Jul 6 2018. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.