Is There a Time Capsule Buried at Joey’s Park?

Where is it?

A search is on to find the location of a time capsule buried in 1989 somewhere beneath Joey’s Park playground as organizers plan a May 18 celebration of the park’s 24 years.

“The theme of our May 18 party is ‘Joey’s Park Then and Now’ and its intended as a celebration of the 24 years of wonderful memories that our community has of this magical park,” explains Diane Miller, Friends of Joey’s Park co-chair. 

“It would be amazing if we could pinpoint the location of the 1989 time capsule,” she said.

Organizers of the original 1989 build confirm a time capsule was buried beneath the playground.  Nearly a quarter century later, however, they don’t remember its precise location. 

“I really don’t remember much about it other than we put one under there somewhere,” recalls Louise Dohanian one of the original project’s three co-chairs. 

“As to what’s in it, it will be a surprise to all of us!” Dohanian said.

Joey’s Park is located on Cross Street next to the Winn Brook Elementary School and the school’s principal, Janet Carey, is eager to see the time capsule unearthed.

“It will be fun for current students to learn what life was like for children in 1989,” says Carey who helped organize a similar community build playground in her town 24 years ago.  

“Our capsule was not buried under the main structure, it was placed under a picnic table.  I’m guessing perhaps the same is true in Belmont.”

Although another co-chair of the original project, Emily Stangle, has another guess:  “It might be near the curvy slide,” says Stangle.

“The current effort to locate and unearth the time capsule was precisely the hope of those who buried it there,” explains Dave Iannello, of PlaybyDesign, the firm that is designing the new Joey’s Park. 

“These capsules not only tell the story of a time gone by, but they are also part of passing the community-build torch on to the next generation,” he said.

Generations of Belmont resident are expected to turn out for the "Joey’s Park Then and Now" celebration on Saturday, May 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the evening of Belmont’s Town Day.

“It’s the Town Day after party,” says Ellen Schreiber, Friends of Joey’s Park co-chair. 

“We’ll have food and music, historic photos of the playground and a massive rendition of the new playground design. Hopefully, we’ll have an update on the time capsule mystery, too,” said Schreiber.

Ideas on where the time capsule is buried? Photos of your family at the playground you’d like to share?  Email them to friends@joeyspark.org or post them on the Friends of Joey’s Park facebook page. 

Learn more about plans for the park at www.joeyspark.com