Governor Andrew Cuomo recently revealed that The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will build and renovate playground areas at two state parks across the Capital Region. The park improvements are funded with $223,333 from the governor's New York Works initiative.
"It is important that children have a safe and engaging place to play, and these NY Works projects will give them just that in state parks across New York," said governor Cuomo. "The numbers tell the story of more and more people visiting the parks, and I encourage everyone to visit these new and improved areas inside the state parks as well as the beauty that New York has to offer."
Under the initiative, state parks will build or create new playgrounds at two parks and install new playground equipment at two parks in the Capital Region. The playgrounds will be accessible to people with disabilities and have distinct areas for younger and older age groups. Each playground will have its own unique themes reflecting characteristics of the park. Playground improvements will be coupled with site improvements, including shade trees or canopies, seating, water fountains and trail/walkway connections to the rest of the park.
Construction of the playgrounds is expected to take place in the off-season, with playgrounds ready for use by next spring. The state parks include:
John Boyd Thacher State Park, Albany County: Create a new playground in the underutilized Horseshoe 2 area of the park picnic area, feature two 80-foot zip lines, cable climbers and climbing boulders.
Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga County: Create a new nature-themed playground near the Hathorn Pavilion, including play structures that resemble logs, mushrooms and trees.
"This new playground funded by the NY Works Program at Thacher Park will provide another family friendly activity for parents and their children to enjoy. With over 12 miles of trails in the park, to go along with numerous volleyball courts, ball fields and various other playgrounds and picnic areas, Thacher Park has activities for everyone to enjoy year-round," said senator Neil Breslin.
"This project will add to the diverse outdoor recreational activities that make New York such a wonderful place to live and raise a family. The park improvements, as part of the New York Works initiative for which I applaud Governor Cuomo, will enhance Saratoga's national name as an outstanding travel destination," said senator Roy McDonald.
"Our state parks add to New York's quality of life for families and this new nature-themed playground will give Capital Region families another reason to visit one of the true jewels of our area, Saratoga Spa State Park. I want to thank gov. Cuomo and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for building this playground in Saratoga that will give children and families a safe place to play, exercise and have fun," said assemblyman James Tedisco.
"I look forward to the construction of a new playground, including zip lines and other exciting features at John Boyd Thacher State Park, providing an attractive space for the children of Albany County to play and enjoy the park," said assemblyman John McEneny.
State Parks plans to fix, modernize, or create over 50 playgrounds, particularly in those parks with high visitation by families. The New York Works initiative is creating 20 new or improved playgrounds to further connect families to parks in the next year.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 178 state parks and 35 historic sites. Tags: