Dozens of Newtown residents joined Newtown Community Center Director Matt Ariniello, First Selectman Jeff Capeci, State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Marty Foncello, and more in celebrating the opening of the Community Center’s new outdoor playscape on Thursday, October 10.

The playground features a wide variety of fun and colorful equipment, from slides and swings to spinners and rope climbing structures, to encourage creativity, collaboration, and inclusive play for all children. Spread throughout the playground are several benches for people to rest and catch their breath.

It also has a Musical Sensory Corner with engaging musical instruments, such as a large xylophone with two mallets, that people can play and interact with. This corner was funded partially by a grant from Newtown Cultural Arts Commission and a gift of Kenneth and Laura Lerman.

Outside the fenced-in area of the playscape are several picnic tables with benches and a giant pit.

Even before the ribbon cutting, children could not contain their excitement and were already using the playground. Some clung onto the spinners as they whizzed around in a circle, while others competed with each other to see who could go higher on the swings.

Everyone could hear the kids shout and laugh as they raced from one piece of equipment to the next, all under the watchful eye of their parents and guardians. In that way, the Community Center’s goal for the playscape — to have an outdoor space where kids can be kids and make lasting memories — was already being accomplished.

Ariniello thanked everyone for being there for the playscape’s grand opening. He also acknowledged the “tremendous support” from the Community Center Commission, town officials, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Fairfield Hills Authority, and the Cultural Arts Commission.

“Your generosity and belief in our mission have made this space possible, and we are truly grateful for your partnership,” Ariniello said.

He continued by saying that the new addition is a key part of their commitment to supporting healthy, active lifestyles for their programs and the public. The playground, Ariniello adds, was designed with inclusivity in mind, ensuring that children of all abilities can enjoy the fun and joy of being outdoors and active. There will also be increased parking available through this process, which will allow for additional visitors to the campus and connect the playscape to the Community Center.

“As we cut the ribbon today and officially open this playground, I encourage everyone to explore, play, and enjoy this new space,” Ariniello said. “Let this playground be a place of joy, energy, play, and laughter for our children and families — and a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together as a community.”

First Selectman Jeff Capeci spoke next, saying that it was a great day for the Community Center and the Fairfield Hills campus as much as it was for the Newtown community. He also said that this was a project fully-funded through the Community Center Commission on behalf of the community, and will not cost tax-payers anything.

“This is another addition to our campus that will not only be used to enrich the programs that we have at the Community Center, but it will also be open to every Newtown resident and visitor to enjoy,” Capeci said. “I hope that everyone will get a lot of use out of this for many years to come and be a source of enjoyment for generations to come.”

Community Center Commission Chair Kinga Walsh was the last to speak, saying that they were “very excited to see a dream come to fruition.” She said that all of this could not have been done without the hard work of several people, such as Ariniello, the Community Center Commission, the entire Community Center staff team, and more.

“This fulfills another part of the Community Center’s mission to bring the community together,” Walsh continued. “Thank you everybody for coming and we hope you all have a lot of fun and enjoy.”

Community Center Commission, local officials, and children from the Community Center’s afterschool program joined Ariniello in cutting the ribbon. Everyone cheered as the ribbon fell to the ground, with pop music blaring from a nearby speaker to celebrate.

Afterwards, Around Town Real Estate members dished out ice cream provided by Ferris Acres Creamery.

According to a sign at the front of the playscape, children must be accompanied by an adult while using the area. No dogs are permitted, and neither are any glass or alcoholic beverages. Proper footwear is also required. The playscape will also be closed to the public when in use for Community Center programs.

Public hours for the playscape are weekdays September through May from dawn to 4 pm, and weekdays May through August from 6 pm to dusk. The playscape will also be open every Saturday and Sunday from dawn to dusk.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.