About 50 mothers recently answered questions concerning what they’d like to see at the new town playground.

“One of the most popular features was fencing with a gate.

Shade was another, and picnic tables with benches,” said Michelle Casale, of the parks and recreation playground subcommittee.

The subcommittee has started its primary fundraiser – a buy-abrick sale – for a new playground to replace Timber Town. As part of the planning, they surveyed the Mom’s Club and the Bedford Newcomers’ and Neighbors’ Club.

Families, businesses and local organizations can buy engraved bricks, which will be used at the new playground site, Casale said.

Bricks start at $50 for individuals and $250 for businesses.

During the holiday season, bricks bought as gifts will come with a certificate for the recipient, Casale said.

“My thought was that I wanted it more moderately priced because it’s a community program, and we wanted everyone to be able to be involved,” she said.

Timber Town, which was built in 1994, was also partially financed by a buy-a-brick fundraiser.

Those bricks, which lead into the playground, will be removed and replanted when the new playground is installed.

The playground will be located on the same spot as Timber Town, which will be disassembled by the end of the year, Casale said. Currently, the play area has two levels, separated by agegroups, but the new playground will only have one level.

“Overwhelmingly, mothers said they didn’t want them separate because if they had more than one child, it was hard to keep an eye on both,” Casale said.

Previously, $100,000 was allotted for the project in the proposed 2007 town budget. The playground committee was to be responsible for raising $50,000 and the town would match it.

At the town council meeting on Nov. 15, Councilor Mike Scanlon said playground fundAbout 50 mothers recently answered questions concerning what they’d like to see at the new town playground.

“One of the most popular features was fencing with a gate. Shade was another, and picnic tables with benches,” said Michelle Casale, of the parks and recreation playground subcommittee.

The subcommittee has started its primary fundraiser – a buy-abrick sale – for a new playground to replace Timber Town. As part of the planning, they surveyed the Mom’s Club and the Bedford Newcomers’ and Neighbors’ Club.

Families, businesses and local organizations can buy engraved bricks, which will be used at the new playground site, Casale said.

Bricks start at $50 for individuals and $250 for businesses. During the holiday season, bricks bought as gifts will come with a certificate for the recipient, Casale said.

“My thought was that I wanted it more moderately priced because it’s a community program, and we wanted everyone to be able to be involved,” she said.

Timber Town, which was built in 1994, was also partially financed by a buy-a-brick fundraiser.

Those bricks, which lead into the playground, will be removed and replanted when the new playground is installed.

The playground will be located on the same spot as Timber Town, which will be disassembled by the end of the year, Casale said. Currently, the play area has two levels, separated by agegroups, but the new playground will only have one level.

“Overwhelmingly, mothers said they didn’t want them separate because if they had more than one child, it was hard to keep an eye on both,” Casale said.

Previously, $100,000 was allotted for the project in the proposed 2007 town budget. The playground committee was to be responsible for raising $50,000 and the town would match it. At the town council meeting on Nov. 15, Councilor Mike Scanlon said playground fundraising might bring in more than $50,000.

He asked the council to raise the available amount for the playground to $130,000.

With that amount, fundraising revenue could reach $80,000, and the town would still pay $50,000, he said. Councilors approved the change.

“If they’re able to raise more money, they’re able to get a better playground,” Scanlon said.

“If they don’t raise it, they don’t spend it and it doesn’t cost us anything.”

Casale said the buy-a-brick fundraiser will raise some money, but much of the donations will come from other sources. Local businesses will be asked for larger donations, and the subcommittee is applying for several grants, including a Healthy New Hampshire Foundation grant.

Casale said they are also applying for a grant from the Ann DiNicola Trust, for which the original Timber Town was named.

Also, the subcommittee is busy designing the new playground.

After visiting 12 local playgrounds and talking with several vendors, the subcommittee has narrowed the search to four vendors.

“Primarily we’re looking for quality, and half the playgrounds we visited were built by the same vendor, so that’s encouraging,” Casale said.

Timber Town is located in the eastern corner of the athletic complex off Nasua Road.

For more information and for buy-a-brick purchase forms, visit bedfordreconline.com.