STANDISH – Build it and they will come. That is the hope of the Johnson Field Playground Committee and thanks to a grant from the state of Maine it may just happen.

At a recent Standish Town Council meeting, the board voted unanimously to accept a state grant for close to $28,000 to be used to build a playground at Johnson Field on Route 35.

“Thank you so much,” said Johnson Field Playground Committee Chairwoman Jeanine Dalton while addressing the council. “Our hope is that everyone will benefit from it.”

The committee began working on the project two years ago when a mother in town suggested a playground to enhance the environment at Johnson Field and provide a space for small children to play while older children are playing baseball on the adjacent field or skateboarding at the onsite skate park.

“We did a study with local parents and they all thought it would be a nice addition for the little ones in town, especially while their older siblings were doing other things there,” said Dalton, who is also a mother of three. “It made sense.”

The committee was formed by volunteers in town and they began researching grants and working with the town Recreation Department as well as the Town Council.

“This committee has worked very hard,” said Recreation Director Linda Brooks. “This is an independent committee that is working with us to provide something incredible for the town, I think it’s just amazing. “

Town Councilor Lynn Olsen agreed.

“I really want to compliment the energy of your whole committee,” said Olsen.

The committee came to the town before they submitted the grant with a request for matching funds. The town agreed to match any funds the committee could not raise on their own, but Brooks assured the council that would most likely not be necessary.

“We have just been plodding along and fundraising for this project,” said Brooks, who will also count on volunteers to help build, thereby cutting costs. ”We plan to do a community build of the playground like we did with Steep Falls and Mill Street. That will save money.”

To date, the committee needs just under $6,000 to reach their goal. Brooks believes that with upcoming fundraisers including the Annual Halloween Party, a road race, and school dances along with additional grants they are applying for, the money will not be an issue.

“We are pretty optimistic we can accomplish this,” said Brooks.

So far, parents in town who support the idea are excited and willing to help.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Barbara Quinn-Gagnon, who has two young boys and joined the playground committee after Dalton told her about it. “I think if it is here kids will take advantage of it.”

Playground committee member and Standish parent Wendy Koons agreed.

“If I wanted to take my kids to a decent playground I had to drive to Gorham or Westbrook,” said Koons. “Packing up three little ones isn’t always easy. I think the playground will be a great addition to the town.”

Town Manager Gordon Billington agreed.

“It is going to be a great center of activity,” said Billington. “It will be a great addition to Johnson Field.”

The committee hopes to break ground at Johnson field in the spring of 2013 and complete the project by the end of the season.

Thanks to a $28,000 state grant, a new playground is in the works for the Johnson Field complex on Route 35 in Standish. Staff photo by John Balentine