ROCHESTER — A room filled with dozens of Rochester residents raised concerns with a project that will upgrade Gifford Park’s playground after the parks commission signed a contract which put the project in motion on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

On Monday, Oct. 21 the Rochester Select Board voted to approve a $45,000 donation to upgrade the playground from non-profit Tri-Town for Protecting Children.

Tri-Town for Protecting Children is a local non-profit “dedicated to raising awareness in our community about sexually-explicit literature and social influencing being promoted” in public schools, according to its website.

The remainder of the cost of the project will be paid for with American Rescue Plan Act funds. The total cost of the project is just above $80,000, according to David Hughes, chair of the parks commission.

Hughes announced on Wednesday, Oct. 30 that Tri-Town for Protecting Children added a $7,000 donation that will add a piece of equipment to the project.

“This is something that is long overdue,” said Hughes after the contract was signed. “It is going to [bring] the park up to what it should be.”

Concerns were raised by residents in attendance about the lack of a site or master plan for the project and the accessibility of the playground for children with disabilities.

“Why can’t we spend some of our grant money for a master plan before we start installing things?” asked Rochester resident Sarah Johnston. “I don’t understand why there can’t be a master plan.”

“At this point we are going forward with the park,” Hughes responded. “We’re way ahead of that right now.”

Later in the meeting, Hughes said the “main reason we are moving with this as we are” is that ARPA funds must be allotted by the end of the calendar year.

“You haven't taken the time to do an overall view, an overall picture and plan things out,” said Rochester resident and school committee member Robin Rounseville. “If the ARPA money needs to be spent by the end of the year, spend it doing site work.”

Cindy Maak of Site Specifics, the company hired by the town to upgrade the playground, said the new park will “exceed” Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Maak said an ADA approved path will connect different structures.

Rochester resident Nate Reece said that although the path is ADA approved, children in wheelchairs will not be able to use swings.

“For some reason there is a group of people that don’t want to support this project,” said Hughes. “Put your big boy pants on and support this group, period.”