Dudley Playground

[Webster MA] — Kids of all sizes and ages will be swinging, climbing and splashing from morning to evening when the “Fun Zone” at the Dudley Municipal Center is completed and in full operation by summertime. The ribbon-cutting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a rain date of July 8 or 9.

The Webster-Dudley-Oxford Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support this one-of-a-kind community playground and recreation area, which will be open to the general public.

The new Richard Camignani Sr. Park, or Fun Zone, will replace an old playground that had to be closed several years ago due to its deterioration, damaged equipment, and safety issues.

The playground designers met with kids of all ages before finalizing a plan that incorporates the latest engineering for playground technology, accessibility and adaptability, with equipment that meets the kids’ definition of fun.

Bringing the idea for a new, modern playground to reality was not a solitary effort, nor was it inexpensive. In 2022, the Dudley Woman’s Club began a year-long outreach to local businesses and residents to raise the money to get the project off the ground. The final price tag for the playground came in at $704,410.

Dudley town officials worked with the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) to submit a PARC grant application. The state’s PARC program assists municipalities in acquiring and developing land for outdoor recreation. A grant for

$496,650, representing a 70% reimbursement, was awarded to the Town in September 2024. The local contribution would be $207,760.

Dudley voters then had to affirm the total project cost at Town Meeting, which they did the following month.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Fun Zone was held last August, and construction is well underway.

We expect families from the surrounding communities will be taking their kids to the new playground, along with Dudley families. This unique project is a community asset that will benefit us all.

We are asking the local businesses to support the Fun Zone with a monetary contribution to help Dudley taxpayers defray some of the cost burden they have agreed to undertake. Equipment Naming Rights are available from $1,000 to $50,000, along with Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsorships.

If you can help, please send a check to WDO Playground Fund, 505 Main St., Webster MA 01570 or call John Milas at 508-943-9700 or email director@wdochamberma.com for more information. View the Naming Rights Tier Information and Sign Up Form Here.