Middletown Renaming Park To Honor Late Supervisor Anna Payne

A Middletown Township park is being renamed for the late township supervisor who grew up nearby.

Last month, the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors voted to rename Cobalt Ridge Park on Cobalt Cross Road in the Levittown section to Supervisor Anna Payne Memorial Park.

The name change is in honor of the late supervisor who passed away in February.

Payne, 37, lived with cystic fibrosis her whole life and battled stage four colon cancer for four years. She was an advocate for those with rare illnesses.

The supervisors said the name change is a lasting tribute to Payne in the neighborhood where she grew up and near a park she helped champion as the township’s first inclusive playground.

“I really can’t think of a more fitting tribute,” said Supervisor Mike Ksiazek. “I think it’s important that Anna’s legacy live on, and I think this is something that she would be happy about.”

Ksiazek said there are plans for new signage and benches to be installed.

Township officials plan to hold a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony once the improvements are complete.

“Anna grew up in Cobalt Ridge, and this was a really special place for her,” said Former Supervisor Dawn Quirple, who served alongside Payne. “She was really excited when this park opened. Not only because it was going to be in her neighborhood, but this was going to be the first inclusive park in Middletown.”

“I couldn’t think of anything more meaningful than renaming this park in honor of Anna,” Quirple added. “I really hope that when families go there, they think of Anna and they think of her memory.”

The new playground at the park, which debuted in 2022, features the staples. It also has many inclusive features, including wheelchair access, solitude seats designed for children on the autism spectrum, a music feature, expression swings with adaptive seating for adults and children to sit face-to-face, and new benches and trash cans. 

Supervisor Bernadette Hannah praised Payne’s service to the township.

“Anna was a true champion for our community, known for her strength, compassion, and kindness,” Hannah said. “She always put others first, especially those who needed a little extra support. She was a great leader and friend.”

Hannah encouraged residents to continue Payne’s legacy through community involvement and compassion.

Hannah added, “I encourage everyone to continue her legacy by finding common ground and showing compassion every day.”