Standish Park is in the mid-northern part of Olde Wethersfield. It is bounded by Nott Street on the northern edge, Hartford Avenue on the east, Francis Street (and Hanmer Elementary School) on the south and Garden Street on the west.
Personnel of the Town of Wethersfield, both on and more often off the clock, helped immeasurably to prepare the site for the building of Mikey's Place. A core of dedicated town employees helped each of the three weekends (and days in between) helping to move this mammoth project along. The materials and installation of Mikey's Place were donated through the dedicated hard work of the daversa family and their relations and friends. The town owned land (Standish Park) was the site of a decrepit, neglected, old playground.
"The large sign at the south end of the future playscape to be called Mikey's Place was a harbinger of things to come. It was a gentle reminder to all of the volunteers that they had precious little time to complete their work...."
"Piles and piles of gravel at first occupied the area of the future 'fully accessible' parking lot at the south end of Mikey's Place. Children wasted no time to converting the piles of earth and gravel to their own immediate use..."
"Depending on the attachment used with this versatile machine, earth was moved, palets were unloaded and gravel and wood chips were hauled to wherever they were needed..."
"Eric Chellstorp, physical services, Town of Wethersfield, operated the front end loader, moving earth, gravel and wood chips each weekend..."
"A MOUNTAIN of wood chips eventually disappeared as it was installed around and under the playscape sections. The 12-15 inches of wood chips will help cushion the children who fall off of the equipment during play..."
"Kathy Bagley, recreation supervisor of the Town of Wethersfield, was helping every minute of the project, assuring a wonderful outcome..."
"John Bonfiglio, physical services department, Town of Wethersfield, helped operate the handy Bobcat loader, moving gravel and wood chips..."
"Steve Tofeldt, Town of Wethersfield, whether driving the hole borer or checking the depth of the footing holes, did whatever it took to move the project along..."
"Officer Connolly Wethersfield Police Department, provides assistance to Mike D'Antonio (Wethersfield High School, Football Team) who cut a finger while shoveling wood chips..."
