In 1948, the West Northfield boys formed a baseball team under the leadership of Chick Caron. They called themselves the West Northfield Blue Jays. They rented the field from Mrs. Edward Parmiter each season. Mrs. Parmiter offered to sell the field to the boys for $600.00 with the stipulation that it be used and enjoyed by the entire community. With Chick Caron's help, everyone pitched in and worked together and purchased the land.  

 

On April 19, 1951, the playground association was organized with Fred Bolton as its first President.  Memberships were sold for a $1.00 per family. No dues are collected & Northfield residents on the west side of the Connecticut River are considered members.

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In 1960 improvements were made to the grounds. Many community donations were given: Northfield Washed Sand and Gravel, Co. gave 300 tons of fill; S.E. Johnson donated 25 tons of loam; Arthur Stacey did the bulldozing work and Edward Fortier provided a children's sandbox. All this resulted in fireplaces, seeding the picnic area, and construction of the driveway and a shuffleboard.

 

The present building was built in 1971. In 1972, a basketball court was installed. The main building now has handicap accessible bathrooms, a new kitchen area and running water.

 

The playground is used by many church and civic groups. Many families have their reunions here each year (at a cost of $150.00). The Northfield Athletic Association uses the baseball field each spring.

 

Over the years, many West Northfield residents have been President of the Association. Some of them are: Fred Bolton, Chick Caron. W. John Greene, Gardner Hudson, Richard Bassett, Mike Gibson, Edward Fortier, Verna Gibson, Ivan Smith, Robert Gibson, Chad Glover, Wayne Elie, Bob Wood, Donald Tefft, and currently Jared Gibson.

 

(Some of the history about the West Northfield Playground Association is from RIVERTOWN REVIEW published by the Tercentenary Committee in 1973.)