Johnston War Memorial Park playground, closed for the past four months for improvements, was officially christened the Grieco Automotive Group Inclusive Playground and reopened to the public on Wednesday.
Throughout the park’s construction, according to Mayor Joseph Polisena, Jr., the playground has expanded, seeing the installation of new equipment designed to improve accessibility in the park.
“One of the most fundamental functions a government has is to provide recreation services,” Polisena said. “And we had that in Johnston, but we didn’t have it for every child. And now we do, thanks to this inclusive playground. Every child, no matter what physical, sensory issues they may have, has a place to come and play.”
Polisena noted that in addition to helping children with disabilities, the new equipment would also allow grandparents and family members with mobility issues to play with their kids more easily.
The new equipment was funded in large part by the automotive group and the Grieco family, which donated $100,000 for the improvements. In total, according to prior reporting, improvements to the park cost $297,000, with the balance of $197,000 coming from American Rescue Plan Act funding.
New additions to the playground include a merry-go-round, see-saw, stationary hand cycle and a spinning wheel. An American Sign Language communication board will be installed in the near future as well. None of the previously-existing equipment was replaced.
Members of the Grieco family- Michael Grieco, Sr., Michael Grieco, Jr., Robert Greico and Domenic Grieco- joined the mayor at the park to celebrate the reopening.
“My two brothers and I are fathers, and we know the importance of playgrounds that are safe and how they provide a sense of community for all families,” Grieco, Jr. said. “Having a playground for children of all abilities is even that much more special.”
Polisena said the Grieco family’s contributions were integral to its completion and meant a lot to him.
“We always talk about corporate citizens and what corporations do in their host communities, and this is one of the most special things that I have seen any business in Johnston do,” Polisena said. “This would not be done without them.”
The final touch for the playground was installing a rubber surface underneath the new equipment to improve safety for kids using the park.
Construction to improve the playground began in April, and according to prior reporting, was initially expected to be completed in June before delays.
The completion of the expanded playground is the second major change made to War Memorial Park in the past year, following the controversial relocation of a statue of Christopher Columbus formerly located in Providence to the middle of the park in October 2023.
Other plans for Memorial Park in the near future include the installation of a splash pad where old bocce courts used to be. Polisena said that he is anticipating the splash pad to be completed by the end of the month, barring any setbacks.
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