All who love outdoor spaces, music and a spirit of community are invited to the grand opening of Bedford’s newest park, Bedford Village Common, Route 101 and Bell Hill Road. The event is scheduled for 1-3 p.m., Sunday, June 9.

Keyboardist Paul Bordeleau will perform from 12:45-1:10 p.m. An opening ceremony, ribbon cutting and dedication, followed by the National Anthem sung by Lisa and Chelsea Haynes, will follow, 1:10-1:30 p.m.

The Bedford High School Jazz Band will perfrom from 1:30-2:15 p.m. The Lurgio Middle School Jazz Band will take the stage from 2:15-2:30 p.m. Look for a windup from vocalists from the Bedford Youth Performing Company from 2:30-3 p.m.

Those visitors who bring a blanket or chair will enjoy the day in added comfort.

The Bedford Village Common Development Committee (BVCDC) has worked for more than four years to bring the park to fruition. Current committee members are Beverly Thomas, (Chair); Jeanene Procopis, (Vice-Chair); Deb Sklar; Richard Poisson; Mac McMahan (Town Council Representative); Bill Dermody (Town Council Alternate); and Dennis Tokac, of the Bedford Parks & Recreation Commission.

Success of the park’s development is credited to the many generous donors of goods and services, and the financial support of Bedford residents, local businesses and foundations, and the Town of Bedford.

In addition to general donations, a Buy-a-Brick Campaign, one enabling supporters to buy an engraved brick or granite paving blocks, has augmented the funds. The engraved bricks are available at $100 each or $150 for two bricks. Granite pavers are available at $300 each.

Town Manager Jessie Levine said the sale of the bricks and pavers is ongoing. Donor forms are available on the BVC page on the Town of Bedford website: www.bedfordnh.org and at the Town Offices. She also said the town is responsible for ongoing maintenance of the park, performed by a combination of town personnel and outside contractors.

Beverly Thomas, chairperson of the BVCDC, said the first four phases of the park are nearly complete. A fifth phase of further development is upcoming. The Bedford Garden Club will be planting flowers and other plants as soon as the ground is workable. Two cast iron planters with arrangements, as well as all the park benches, will be in place for the opening.

“The benches look beautiful,” Thomas said. “The plan is to have some birdhouses in by June 9th. Birdhouses replicating historic Bedford buildings will be a future project and landscape enhancements will continue.”

The centerpiece of the park, and the location of the ribbon cutting ceremony at the grand opening, is the Market Basket Bandstand, named in recognition of the supermarket chain’s donation of $25,000.

Another major attraction of the park, the skating pond, was donated by Dick and Demetria Anagnost.

Other park amenities include a Veterans Memorial, walking paths, gardens, and an entry pergola. A warming hut at the skating pond is planned for the future. The design will be based on the old Bedford train depot.

The gardens and natural landscaping add a sense of peace and tranquility to this newly created community space in the center of town.

Thomas indicated that the work of many individuals warrants recognition and a hearty chorus of applause.

“It has been over 20 years since a town center park was included in the Master Plan, and over 10 years since a park committee was formed,” Thomas said. “Countless Bedford residents and town officials have been involved with the planning, permitting, fundraising and construction of this park. It certainly takes a village!”

Michelle Casale, chair of the Bedford Parks and Recreation Commission and Jane O’Brien, recreation program manager, have been busy with publicity for the event. Many others have added their talents.

“June 9 will be a very exciting day,” Thomas said. “We are all thrilled to be opening Bedford’s newest park to the community.”

For more information on Bedford Village Common, visit the town website: www.bedfordnh.org. In case of rain the event will be rescheduled for 1-3 p.m., Sunday, June 16.