Smile Playground to reopen Friday after renovation

The Sudbury Town Manager's office announced Oct. 21 that the Dr. Bill Adelson Smile Playground at Haskell Field is scheduled to reopen Friday, Oct. 23, following its renovation. Work on the adjacent Haskell Field restroom facilities is still underway, with completion anticipated in early November.

Both projects were funded through the 2026 Annual Town Meeting as Community Preservation Act projects for fiscal year 2027. The town said the improvements are meant to enhance accessibility, safety, usability and the overall experience at Haskell Field and the playground.

The playground upgrades include new equipment such as a merry-go-round, saddle spinner and rocker seat, along with sensory and interactive features including farmers market panels, a sensory dome and tunnel, and vibra chimes. A new poured-in-place ground surface was also installed for accessibility and safety, and all new equipment and features are rated ADA universal and suitable for all ages.

The restroom project involves a full interior renovation down to the studs, new commercial grade plumbing fixtures, new epoxy flooring, a new ventilation fan, and improved accessibility and safety features. The town said the upgraded restrooms are intended to be more durable and easier to keep clean, and to allow the facility to open earlier in the spring and close later in the fall.

The playground had been closed since installation began in early October, a process the town said was expected to take three to four weeks. The restroom project had faced earlier delays due to material availability before closing for repairs in September.

The town asked for patience as construction wraps up on what it called "this important recreational area," and said updates would continue to be posted at the site and on the town website.

Source: Town of Sudbury announcement, October 21, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.