The Salem Community Foundation and parks department came together Wednesday to celebrate the arrival of a new 2024 Maschio Rosa Boom Mower for the department. Entirely funded through a $13,950 grant awarded by the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors from the Ruth Harkins McKeown Fund as part of its mission “to improve the quality of life in Salem,” the boom mower will help department employees to more safely and efficiently manage high grass in hard-to-reach areas like the hill between Hope Cemetery and the Superior Avenue parking lot which had to be trimmed with string trimmers. Shown from left are Salem Community Foundation President John Tonti, Board Members Shane Franks, George Hays, Steve Bailey, Geoff Goll, Chief Operating Officer Brittany Maniscalco, Interim Parks Director Kelli Pastore, Parks Laborer Bob Hillman, Parks Foreman Wes Bryan, Parks Laborers Shawn Luketic, and Kaiden Blair, and Parks Commission President John Panezott. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

SALEM — The parks department’s new boom mower which was made possible by a grant from the Salem Community Foundation has arrived.

Interim Parks Director Kelli Pastore announced that the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors had awarded a grant for purchase of a 2024 Maschio Rosa Boom Mower from Jo’s Equipment in Winfield, Pennsylvania and that she and Parks Foreman Wes Bryan would be able to pick it up soon in the Parks Commission’s October meeting. The $13,950 grant covered the full cost of the mower and was drawn from the Ruth Harkins McKeown Fund as part of its mission “to improve the quality of life in Salem.”

“This mower will aid us in keeping our parks safer and more enjoyable for everyone,” said Pastore.

The new mower will allow department employees to more efficiently and safely manage overgrown grass in hard-to-reach areas like the creek in Waterworth Memorial Park or the hill between Hope Cemetery and the Superior Avenue parking lot.

“We’re proud to support the parks department in their commitment to keeping our parks looking beautiful,” said Community Foundation President John Tonti.