The Town of Hamilton is excited to announce the installation of accessibility improvements at the Patton Park Playground, made possible by a $20,000 amendment by State Representative Kristin E. Kassner who secured the funding in the FY25 budget.
Over the weekend, rubber safety surfacing was installed in three areas of the playground where it will have the greatest impact on creating a more inclusive play space. The mats are designed to reduce the risk of injury by providing better shock absorption while also making the playground easier to navigate for wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers.
While the playground currently features engineered woodchips they do not address the uneven terrain and surface movement as our children play. These mats provide a stable surface and are a true improvement for inclusivity.
“As a Hamilton resident whose son often plays in Patton Park, I was happy to secure funding to provide the ADA improvements to the playground,” said Representative Kassner. “This new rubber surfacing will allow for easier access for all to enjoy the park.”
“This funding allowed us to take a meaningful step,” said Sean Timmons, Director of the Hamilton-Wenham Recreation Department. “In recreation management, we’re asking deeper questions about what an inclusive playground can be. It’s nice to be on the forefront of these conversations.”
The playground includes a zip line, pirate ship structure, dome swing, net climber, shaded spots to beat the heat, and park benches. Timmons aims to create spaces where all children can play together and hopes to eventually replace all the wood chips with rubber surfacing if more funding becomes available.
“As future opportunities arise, you can be sure that Hamilton will aim to exceed safety standards and incorporate more sensory play features for our local community,” Timmons said.
About Patton Park
Patton Park is more than just a playground. It includes basketball courts, a pavilion, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, and the Veterans Memorial Pool. The Hamilton-Wenham Recreation Department manages the park and its facilities. At the corner of Bay Road and Asbury Street in South Hamilton, MA 01982, Patton Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The parking area on Asbury Street includes accessible paths to the playground area.
Inclusive Playground – Open now
Hamilton is proud to be one of the early municipality adopters in the region to actively implement inclusive playground design upgrades in a public park setting. While many cities and towns across Massachusetts are beginning to take these important steps—often through school-based initiatives or projects still in development—Hamilton’s improvements at Patton Park are already making a difference for families. The newly installed rubber surfacing provides immediate, real-world accessibility putting the town at the forefront of efforts to create disability inclusive play spaces in the region. For a list of other Inclusivity Playgrounds visit Mass.Gov or Community Inclusion.org
Hamilton Wenham Recreation Department Leadership
Sean Timmons has led the Hamilton-Wenham Recreation Department since July 2011, when he became the full-time director of the recreation program for both towns. Under his leadership, the department has expanded into a dynamic, year-round operation offering diverse programming for residents of all ages.
A native of Wakefield, Mass., Timmons has been a lifelong athlete. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sports, fitness, and leisure with a concentration in leisure studies from Salem State University in 2004.
Timmons is committed to creating as many opportunities as possible for residents to stay active, connect, and enjoy the benefits of recreation. Outside of his professional role in Hamilton, he also serves as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission for the Town of Salisbury.
