FREDONIA — A new playground in the village of Fredonia has risen from the ashes of its predecessor — quite literally.

Lower Russell Joy Park boasts a play area once again after the previous one burned down in an apparent arson. Fredonia-Pomfret Recreation Director Thomas Battaglia noted the new setup cost $10,000 after insurance funds kicked in.

“It’s just a matter of going through the insurance procedures,” he said. “We have a $10,000 deductible. For parks and recreation, I just don’t have an extra $10,000, so the great people at GameTime … just kind of worked back and forth and was like, ‘Hey, you know, we’ve got something on sale. Here’s what it looks like,’ and it did fit within our budget. There was absolutely no out-of-pocket cost for village residents.”

Battaglia acknowledged a $2,500 donation received last year from the family of Russell Joy Jr. that went toward the burned playground’s replacement. He also thanked the Parks and Recreation Commission for its help in finding a good-fitting playground at the right price.

The original playground just off of Hamlet Street burned down in June 2016, thus resulting in roughly $35,000 in damage. That recreational equipment was installed in 2012.

“Nobody was caught,” Battaglia remarked. “When you’re dealing with metal and rubber mulch, somebody was doing something that they shouldn’t have been.”

The rubber mulch surrounding the playground was also replaced, as much of it was burned in the fire, Battaglia pointed out. Some of the border was salvaged.

He concluded his remarks by saying he hopes the community enjoys and uses the playground and keeps a lookout for it.