In celebration of New Balances Centennial Year, the New Balance Foundation has announced a special gift to the five New England communities that are home to its facilities and have contributed to its success over the years. The New Balance Foundation will work with each
community in 2006 to build a substantial and modern playground intended to provide a fun, safe and attractive play environment for children and families.
In Massachusetts, playgrounds will be built in Brighton, location of the companys world headquarters and manufacturing facility, as well as in Lawrence, the host city of its distribution center as well as a
manufacturing facility and R&D offices. In Maine, New Balance will build playgrounds in Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Norway/South Paris — areas where the company has manufacturing facilities.
“Our associates are excited to collaborate with these communities and their local residents in a community build effort. We will work hand in hand to construct each playground and enhance each local park,” says Anne Davis,
Vice Chairman of New Balance. “This gift reinforces our mission to provide support for the betterment of children and families and communities in which we operate.”
In Brighton, New Balance is working with the city planning department to replace an existing playground within Rogers Park. The park serves a residential community located between New Balances world wide headquarters
and manufacturing facilities in Brighton.
In Lawrence, the O'Connell South Common Park currently receives significant use from the community and is located down the street from New Balance. The New Balance Foundation Centennial playground will replace an old structure adjacent to the skate park.
In Skowhegan, the Towns Recreation Center has an existing playground that is more than twenty years old and needs to be replaced. Despite being old, the playground is so popular that schools need to sign out times to
bring their students. A brand new structure was an expensive proposition for the town and funds from the New Balance Foundation will expedite this needed update.
In Norway/South Paris, the New Balance Foundation is funding two projects. In Norway a playground will be built at Pennasseewassee Park, which is used for all of the areas summer camps. In South Paris, Moore Park was
selected for its location in the town center. During the summer months, band concerts, puppet shows and various children's activities take place and a new play structure will contribute to the parks already family-friendly environment.
In Norridgewock, New Balance learned about ongoing fundraising efforts by the town for a new playground in Oosoola Park. The Foundation was able to
significantly supplement and increase the scope of the project to have an even greater positive impact on the waterfront park.
The Foundation is formally announcing this centennial gift during the anniversary week of Jim Daviss purchase of New Balance in 1972. The New Balance Foundation has chosen to work with OBrien & Sons of Medfield, MA in the planning and execution of these playground projects
