FARMINGTON – Eight parents met with selectmen Tuesday to request new playground equipment at Hippach Field.

They represented a larger group, Parents for the Playground, which has researched and planned a new playground for preschool and young school age children.

Project money would come from private fundraising, said Amy Graham, who spoke for the group. They are energetic with time to devote to the project, she said, and are also working with a grant writer to try to secure other funds. Their proposal would cost $45,414 with swings and $43,490 without.

The parents visited other playgrounds to see what children enjoy, she said, and would like to create a natural playground where children can use their imagination to play and learn.

One company’s Web site – that of Natural Playgrounds Co. – describes how it blends natural materials, features and vegetation with creative landforms and structures. The Web site defined natural play as “if you have ever climbed trees, scrambled up rocks, made mud pies, hid in grass, played house in bushes, built snow forts, played in dirt or had fun outside in similar ways then you have experienced natural play.”

The new playground would be located south of the tennis courts where there is already an existing playground.

Selectmen unanimously approved the proposal.

In other business, selectmen appointed a Community Development Block Grant Citizens Advisory Committee to work on The Old North Church project. Taffy Davis and Robert Flick from the Historical Society, church neighbor Jerry McFarlane, Town Manager Richard Davis and Code Enforcement Officer Steven Kaiser and planning assistant Sabra Sterling were appointed to that committee.

The North Church, owned by the Farmington Historical Society and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been closed since 2000, Taffy Davis said. It was used as a community center where the Rotary Club and other organizations could meet. An aqueduct on Quebec Street backed up into the church’s basement causing flooring and foundation problems.

The grant money will be used to replace the foundation, flooring and utilities. The Historical Society intends to create a museum with programs offered in the 1898 sanctuary.

Police Chief Richard Caton presented a new police department program, Challenge Coin Recognition, to the selectmen. An anonymous donor has given $1,000 to purchase commemorative-type coins that police officers can carry and give to people that they see doing a good deed. The program works on the officer’s discretion, Caton said. The actual cost for the program would be $1,245 with the $245 donated by the Farmington Police Benevolent fund.

Discussion on possible safety measures at the snowmobile trail crossing on Wilton Road was tabled pending outcome of a criminal case resulting from a recent fatal accident there. Davis said he had received calls following the accident regarding the safety issue of the spot, which is located in a high vehicle traffic area. Davis has discussed it with the Transportation Advisory Committee and selectmen will review it later.

Selectmen elected Charles Murray as chairman with Stephan Bunker as vice chairman and Dennis Pike as secretary. New board members Jon Bubier and John Frary were welcomed.