On Saturday, Sept. 27, Greenfield’s Stephenson Library dedicated a new gazebo on the library’s back lawn near the trails leading into Gipson Forest.
Andra Hall, Chair of the Friends of the Stephenson Library, said the new gazebo is part of the library’s mission of supporting the community.
“At the heart of our library lies a fundamental mission: we are here to serve our neighbors and community by providing a gathering space and free access to materials and resources to promote learning, literacy, and connection. This outdoor space is a testament to this mission, and an extension of our commitment to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone,” Hall said in her remarks at the dedication ceremony.
The gazebo was funded by contributions to the Debra J. Locastro Cilley Trust, created in honor of longtime Greenfield resident Debra Cilley, who died in 2020.
Hall credited the Cilley, Kokal and Hall families for their contributions to the construction and completion of the gazebo project.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Andre Kokal. He worked tirelessly to assemble the gazebo, problem-solving through directions that were less than helpful in a very hot week in August,” Kokal said.
Hall said the gazebo reflects the Greenfield Community’s “spirit and resilience.”
“This gazebo stands as an invitation to connection–to neighbors, friends, and family — and it encourages the growth of knowledge and creativity that we hold dear. … let this moment symbolize not only the opening of a new space but also our shared commitment to promoting literature, fostering learning and strengthening the bonds that unite us as a community,” Hall said before the ribbon cutting.
For information about Stephenson Memorial Library, visit greenfield-nh.gov/stephenson-memorial-library.