Added on November 9, 2026 Sara Swanson

Whats going on with the KaBoom! equipment?

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Play structure waiting for EWF to be blown in. Photo credit: Cherrie Guinn.

by Cherrie Guinn

From August 25 through August 28 more than sixty-five Manchester area volunteers put in over three days of work building the two new multigenerational playspace areas near Manchester City Hall, located at 912 City Road However, since the August 27 ceremonial ribbon cutting by Mayor Pat Vaillencourt and City manager Michael Sessions, the area with the exercise and adventure course equipment has sat with construction fencing surrounding it, leaving the eager community wondering what exactly the holdup could be?

Sessions explained, “the holdup is an issue between the pour-in-play contractor and our funding agent KaBOOM!” The city and KaBOOM! had a virtual meeting scheduled for the first week of November. They ultimately did not end up meeting virtually but agreed to move forward with a mix of EWF (engineered wood fibers) for the playground section and a pour-in-place surfacing in the area where the exercise equipment is located.

KaBOOM! contractors could be seen hard at work Monday and Tuesday by many city residents who showed up to city hall to cast their votes, leaving many to wonder if we would have an official opening soon.

Sessions explained that two different contractors are needed to get the last finishing touches done to open the space. This past week they worked on prepping the area for the EWF. KaBOOM! is in charge of lining up the contractors as they are the project manager and will be following up with the city this week to provide a date for the pour-in-place surfacing. KaBOOM! needs the rubber installed and cured around the pour-in-place where the exercise equipment is before they can spray in the EWF. Once that is in place and settled, they will then have the EWF blown in.

Sessions expressed the hope that we will have an opening before winter sets in.

The fenced off area is just one of two that went in as part of the KaBoom! build. The second, with a focus on games, is located behind the senior center, right next to the river, and is open for play right now. These permanent fixtures include a chess/checkers table and chairs by the river; horseshoe pits, and corn hole “boards”, with two wooden benches facing them for onlookers to enjoy.

While we wait for the grand opening of the fenced off equipment, stop by with chess pieces, checkers, horse shoes, or bean bags and play a game; or grab a book from the library, sit on one of the new benches, and watch the progress while enjoying the fall foliage.