Levittown Park Dedicated In Memory Of Late Township Supervisor Anna Payne

Under a warm spring sky and with a crowded playground as a backdrop, Middletown Township officials gathered Friday to rename Cobalt Ridge Playground as Supervisor Anna Payne Memorial Park.

The ceremony in Levittown honored Payne, a township supervisor who died in 2025 at age 37. Payne, who lived with cystic fibrosis her entire life, had battled stage four colon cancer in recent years.

A native of the Cobalt Ridge neighborhood, Payne grew up near the greenspace that now bears her name.

Officials credited her as an advocate for the site’s transformation in 2022 into the township’s first inclusive and accessible playground.

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

The park was designed to accommodate children of all abilities, a mission colleagues said Payne championed to ensure everyone felt supported and included.

The facility features wheelchair-accessible elements, interactive music features, and adaptive swings designed for face-to-face interaction between children and caregivers. It also includes “solitude seating” specifically intended for children on the autism spectrum.

Dan McCormick recalled a conversation he had with Payne in her final months about how people can remember her.

“She said, ‘you know, I just want everyone to be together and celebrate with me and be excited about me. And when they think about me, they’re excited and they’ll have fun,’” recalled McCormick, who knew Payne through politics. “And then, there was a quick pause, and she’s like, ‘I mean, I want people to be a little sad.’”

“Please share a couple tears and a lot of laughter, a lot of love, and a lot of kindness,” McCormick told the crowd.

Payne served as the executive assistant for Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia and was a longtime advocate for those living with rare illnesses.

Ellis-Marseglia, who attended Friday’s event, said Payne’s loss is still deeply felt but noted her friend would be pleased to see the playground dedicated in her memory.

The ceremony drew a bipartisan group of local elected Democratic and Republican officials, alongside friends and family who shared memories of Payne’s impact on the community.

“Anna’s impact on this community will not be forgotten,” said Supervisor Chairperson Bernadette Hannah. “This park stands as a reflection of her commitment to inclusion, compassion, and service to others.”

Visitors to the park are now greeted by a commemorative garden at the entrance.

The garden project was funded by a donation from the Middletown Township Community Foundation, with labor and services donated by Foraker Landscaping.