All Milford residents are invited to attend the Milford Town Park Celebration on Saturday, June 21 from noon to 4 p.m. to explore and experience the completed renovations, new sport courts, and new Fitness Court® Studio. The Milford Cultural Council and Milford Parks Department are organizing this family friendly event to not only showcase the park renovations, but to bring the community together to enjoy an afternoon of Fitness Court demonstrations, new sport court tryouts, live music, food, and art activities. A short ceremony and ribbon-cutting featuring local officials and partners, as well as the rededication of the basketball courts to honor the legacy of John S. “Chili” Frabotta, are planned for 1 p.m.

The renovation construction to Town Park began in July of 2024 and is expected to be completed by mid-June. The renovations include two new tennis courts, four pickleball courts, two basketball courts with futsal and street hockey options, as well as added and expanded walkways, new seating, and new lighting. The renovations also include the installation of a new Fitness Court® Studio, a handicapped-accessible outdoor gym that is being added to Town Park through a partnership with National Fitness Campaign (NFC) and a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. This Fitness Court® Studio is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets users leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations. Created for adults of all abilities age 14+, the Fitness Court® Studio workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. The 32-feet wide training wall that anchors the Fitness Court will feature Milford’s first large-scale mural titled “Fitness for All” created by Massachusetts artist Carol Abram. The Milford Cultural Council worked with the Milford Parks Commission, NFC, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to seek artist designs and select the winning mural.

Milford Parks and Recreation Administrator Jim Asam says, “We know residents have been waiting a long time for the renovations to be finished, so we are looking forward to hosting this celebration that will allow everyone to check out the improvements to Town Park. Sporting equipment will be available so residents can try out all the new sport courts and Fitness Court.” 

In addition to the fitness demonstrations and activities, the Town Park Celebration will include live music, food vendors, art activities, and community pop-ups. PanNeubean Steel, a Milford-based steelpan band, will open the event in the Town Park bandstand. Matt York will be singing the songs of Willie Nelson at 2 p.m., and he will be followed by Milford High School’s Joe B. Band.

Food options will include Simmer & Spice, Tako Laco, New City Creamery ice cream from The Rail Trail Flatbread Company of Milford, as well as hand-crafted lemonades from Citrus Got Real. In addition, Shaw’s of Milford will be giving away nutritious snacks near the Fitness Court, and the Milford Cultural Council will be distributing healthy snacks courtesy of other local grocery stores.

The Cultural Council will host a number of other activities at the event, including face painting, a coloring book station, and the creation of a new community graffiti picnic table.

Milford Cultural Council Chair Martin Montoya says, “The Cultural Council is excited to be working with the Parks Department to host this community event, which will launch the reveal of our first large-scale mural, another fine addition to our ongoing Art in the Parks initiative.” 

Numerous community organizations will set up as pop-up stations in the new grassy area across from the bandstand to distribute information and discuss their programming. Groups committed to participating at the time of this press release are the Milford Town Library, Milford Youth Center, Milford Senior Center, Charles River Watershed Association, Sweet Inspirations, the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line, and PINZ. 

This event would not be possible without the partnership and donations offered by local businesses and organizations. The Cultural Council would like to thank the Milford Parks Commission (Paul Braza, Joe Arcudi, and Scott Crisafulli); Jim Asam, Parks and Recreation Administrator; National Fitness Campaign; and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts for partnering with us to include the mural to be featured on the Fitness Court. The Cultural Council extends sincere gratitude to The Milford Foundation for its generous financial donation, as well as the in-kind donation from Signs Plus of Milford. In addition, the council thanks the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, for its help funding this event. Additional donors include Target, BJ’s, Big Y, Stop and Shop, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods. All donors and partners will be recognized at the event. 

The rain date for this event is Sunday, June 22. Residents are encouraged to follow the Milford Cultural Council’s social media accounts (Facebook: MilfordCulturalCouncil | Instagram: MilfordCultural) to keep up with the details of this event and any changes to the schedule. 

Questions about the Town Park Celebration can be emailed to [email protected].

As a local partner of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Milford Cultural Council seeks to promote excellence, inclusion, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and sciences to foster a rich cultural life for all Milford residents, thereby contributing to the vitality of our community and economy. The council welcomes ideas, recommendations, and feedback regarding programs and events funded or sponsored by the council. Interested Milford residents are encouraged to attend meetings, which are held the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. typically in Room 14 of Town Hall. Learn more online at: MilfordMA.gov/309/Cultural-Council