Thank you, Ellsworth!
An estimated 300 people joined us at Knowlton Park on Saturday, June 13, 2026, for the second annual Play It Forward event, a day filled with family fun, community connections, and excitement about the future of the park and playground.
One of the biggest attractions of the day was the popular “Touch a Truck” experience. The City’s Highway Department brought heavy equipment, including an excavator, front-end loader, and its state-of-the-art vacuum truck, giving kids the opportunity to climb aboard and explore. The Ellsworth Police Department was also on hand, welcoming visitors into a police cruiser and showing off the vehicle’s lights and equipment.
Throughout the event, City staff connected with residents about the Knowlton Playground replacement project and welcomed community members interested in helping with public outreach and fundraising efforts.
The day would not have been possible without the support of our community partners. A special thank you to Hannaford for generously donating fruit, bottled water, ice cream bars, popsicles, and other frozen treats for attendees to enjoy. Thank you as well to The Grand for bringing popcorn and members of the cast of SpongeBob SquarePants, who kept smiles on faces throughout the afternoon.
And then there was the splashpad!
The splashpad was easily the most popular destination of the day. Thanks to recent repairs and improvements completed by the Parks, Recreation & Facilities team, three previously non-functioning water features are now back in service, and visitors enjoyed stronger water pressure and more ways to cool off on a warm June day.
Most importantly, Play It Forward brought families together. Children played, neighbors connected, and community members spent time enjoying one of Ellsworth’s most-loved parks.
Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, and helped make the event such a success. Together, we’re helping ensure Knowlton Park remains a place where memories are made for generations to come.
