Donation helps Doylestown Borough’s Broad Commons Park playground plans move forward

Plans for the Fonthill-inspired playground at Doylestown Borough’s Broad Commons Park got a boost when a local couple contributed $50,000 to the innovative project.
Chris and Whitney Chandor provided the gift to help build the “uniquely Doylestown” children’s play area that will spotlight a tower resembling the famed Fonthill Castle not too far from the park.
“The Chandors were instrumental in bringing together the borough and the Heritage Conservancy in order to make the park even possible, and now have cemented their legacy as one of its most generous beneficiaries,” the community announced on social media.
Earlier this year, Doylestown received a $250,000 matching grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to help create the playground within the park at North Broad Street.
With children ages 5 to 12 in mind, the colorful, 8,500-square-feet play area will have inclusive play structures, safety surfacing, fencing, and ADA access. The design calls for lush landscaping, as well.

There will be a storytelling space, a We-Go-Round, a climbing bridge and a “nature-oriented” section, according to the borough. A “castle-climbing” feature will offer kids a way into the Fonthill-like piece.
With a price tag of approximately $500,000, borough manager John Davis acknowledged the steep cost.
“Although more expensive than a conventional playground, this grant, along with anticipated fundraising will more than make up the difference,” Davis said earlier when the state grant was awarded.
Future park plans also call for a small amphitheater.