ROCHESTER — Much to the delight of Rochester children, a brand new playground is on its way to the town.

The playground, which will be located at Gifford Park along Mary’s Pond Road, will be “state of the art,” said Parks Commision member David Hughes during a presentation to the Rochester Select Board on Monday, Aug. 19.

According to Hughes, a four-foot fence will surround the playground, the old playground will be entirely removed and the basketball court will be turned into parking spots.

Hughes said that the cost of the playground would be just north of $82,000, half of which will be paid for by Tri-Town for Protecting Children.

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

The organization has sponsored events in the area, such as book readings, and also protested the May unveiling of a Little Free Diverse Library erected by the local organization Tri-Town Against Racism at the Rochester Women’s Club.

Later in the meeting, the Rochester Select Board voted to cover the other half of the cost of the new playground with American Rescue Plan Act funds.

“I think this is something that is long overdue,” said Hughes.

“I think we have the opportunity now to do something,” said Hughes, referring to available funding from the Tri-Town for Protecting Children.

Hughes said construction will start as soon as funding for the project is secured.