FARMINGTON – Organizers of a playground renovation project for Hippach Field said they will start on the project in the spring after a $4,500 gift was added to money already raised for the project.

Parents for the Playground, a group of people associated with preschool pupils, were notified the Peter Mills Trust Fund for Hippach Field donated to their project, Recreation Director Stephen Shible said.

The fund provides money to be used for “maintenance, repair and improvements of the buildings, facilities and grounds of the Hippach Memorial Athletic Field,” said Amy Graham, leader of the parent group.

The gift brings the total amount raised to $28,735, she said. Another $4,300 is needed to purchase and install the playground structure, which will be made of aluminum with a plastic covering, she said. If swings are included that total climbs to $6,300.

Project costs include removal of the older wooden structure and the addition of sand under the structure.

Approximately 10 families began the project that included landscaping and the structure for a natural playground that included trees, shrubs and forming hills for children to run up and down and a bridge between them, she said. The goal originally was around $45,000 but the group wants to get started, put up the structure and then decide on whether to continue with phase two, she said.

The families met through the University of Maine at Farmington playgroup for preschoolers. They wanted to continue meeting in the summer but it was difficult to find a place with appropriate equipment for small children, she said. When school is in session, playgrounds are unavailable and they wanted a place in town where families can meet. Hippach Field seemed to be a good place, she said.

The gift followed meetings with Paul Mills, representing the family, and an investment counselor, town manager Richard Davis and Shible, he said. An amount was determined in December to be given this year for the project, Shible said Monday.

For more information or to support the effort, e-mail Graham at [email protected].