Park and Recreation Commission backs Smile Playground article with universal-access mandate

SUDBURY -- October 21, 2025, Sudbury Park and Recreation votes 5-0 to require universal-access design for Smile Playground rebuild. The commission endorsed a $300,000 CPC application for the Haskell Field playground but directed Assistant Town Manager Victor Garofalo to solicit universal-design alternatives, rejecting a stair-equipped layout he filed before the Sept. 15 CPC deadline. Chair Mara Huston said "universal access is a different standard than ADA requirements," and member Ben Carmel said he would "a hundred percent vote no to anything that doesn't have public engagement for the playground." Commissioners deferred votes on $122,000 in Davis Field design funding and $214,000 for Broadacres-Featherland design. Director Dennis Mannone reported $12,000 in retainage outstanding on phase one. Garofalo separately reported the Atkinson Pool project remains on schedule for a Dec. 1 opening, with tile replacement holding at 10 percent within the base contract. CPC liaison Granger Atkeson said townwide CPC requests run roughly $600,000 above expected fiscal 2027 revenue.