Tricentennial Park Open For All [VIDEO AND PHOTO GALLERY]

Citizens of Norton were brought together Sunday, as they celebrated the dedication ceremony of the new Tricentennial Park, located at 217 W. Main St.

 “I think Brian Coughlin said it best if you’ve seen his commercial,” noted Dan Rich. “He said this year we’ve had a great time celebrating Norton’s 300th anniversary. We had the picnic, we had the ball we had the parade. But those are memories. This is a park that will last. This park will connect us to those memories.”

 Speakers of the day included town crier Clarence “Butch” Rich, Tricentennial Committee chairman Dan Rich, Norton Land Preservation Society co-president Kathleen Ebert-Zawasky and Board of Selectmen chairman Bradford Bramwell. They honored the many people who helped make the park a reality, including blueprint designer Peter Hunt, landscape designer Dana Rappaneau, Keith Silva of the highway department, volunteers from North Cottage Program, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and more.

 “The Tricentennial Park will continue to remind us of our long history, our vibrant present and our investment in our town and its young people,” Ebert-Zawasky said.

 Another special aspect of the day was the 102nd birthday celebration of Norton’s oldest citizen, Dorothy Schissler. Town residents sang “Happy Birthday” to her as a cake was brought out. Dorothy’s husband, Ed Schissler, was the chairman of the 250th anniversary celebration of the Town of Norton.

 “She certainly has fit in here today,” said Butch Rich.

 Many elements of the park are dedicated to people who have a rich history in town, such as a garden in honor of retired fire chief Richard Gomes. Others are more sentimental, such as a bench dedicated to Clarence Rich Senior and Dolly Rich and Ally’s Garden, which is in memory of Ally Todesco who died of a heart defect when she was a child.

 Another way to dedicate a piece of the park to a loved one is to buy a brick. Forms are available at the Tricentennial website and can be mailed to LPS of Norton, P.O. Box 204, Norton, MA, 02766.

 To help maintain the park, contact Zawasky at zawasky@comcast.net.