$130,000 raised by teachers, parents and the Danbury community for a handicap-accessible playground at Pembroke Elementary School will be matched by the City.  The City Council accepted the donation last night and agreed to allocate $140,000 from a previously approved recreation bond to meet the needed amount.

Mayor Mark Boughton says when he was approached about this project, he knew it was something the city needed to make a reality.  He added that it took some thought and creativity, but City officials were able to provide the rest of the funding needed.  Boughton says he's proud to see the kindness from residents and businesses who donated to this project out of a sense of community action.

Democratic Mayoral candidate Chris Setaro congratulated Special needs teacher Leigh Viviano on their hard-fought campaign to build a playground accessible to students of all capabilities.  But he added that he's deeply concerned that Mark Boughton - 90 days before an election - has decided it's time to fund a playground at a public school after 18 months of parent-organized bake sales and events to raise funds.  Setaro says Danbury children should not have to go to neighboring communities just to find play equipment that is accessible.

The playground will be available to the public after school hours and on weekends.