Community Corner
Grassroots Effort To Renovate Nyack Playground Kicks Off
A group of parents want to renovate the playground at Memorial Park
A group of parents and others in the community want to renovate the playground at Memorial Park, and are looking to raise the money themselves to carry out the alterations.
The group, which is going by the Nyack Playground Community Action Group as of now, held a kickoff event Saturday at the Nyack Center.
“For decades parents in Nyack have come together to try and make positive change happen in the village,” said Sally Clark, a committee member and co-chair of Saturday’s kickoff event. “It’s up to us to make this happen.”
Clark said they teamed up with the Nyack Park Conservancy, a local non-profit organization, to help raise the funds, adding right now the group’s wish list is to raise $100,000.
The group’s idea for the playground is to combine a natural playscape with innovative equipment. Clark said a natural playscape includes combines the playground with things in nature, such as logs, tree stumps or hollowing out willows to make tunnels.
“The concept is beautiful of a more natural playground,” said Nyack Mayor Jen Laird-White. “It’s truly beautiful and fits right in with Nyack’s uniqueness, not to mention Memorial Park’s greatness.”
Clark said the group also wants input from the community on ideas for the park. They asked elementary school students to draw their ideal park, and they hung those posters all over the Nyack Center. Some of kids’ ideas included plenty of slides and swing sets, as well as bounce castles, horses and a pirate ship. She added they have been in talks with local businesses, who have been supportive of their efforts and will most likely start hanging up some the kids’ artwork as well.
At Saturday’s kickoff event, Gypsy Donuts and Back To Earth both donated items to the event, and there were performances by Danna Banana, Music for Aardvarks, Mustache Cash Stash and the Amazing Grace Circus, who also led a workshop later in the day for kids in attendance.
Clark said they’re planning upcoming fundraising events, and they have their first meeting April 17th at Nyack Village Hall at 7 p.m., where they will choose their first piece of equipment for the park.
While the group isn’t affiliated with the group looking to build a skatepark in Nyack, Clark said they are all parents and community members looking to improve the village for children. The Nyack Park Conservancy is also working with the skatepark group, and Nancy Blaker Weber, president of the conservancy, said it’s encouraging to see the two groups.
“It’s exciting that these new young parents are enthusiastic and coming together to improve Nyack,” Weber said.
Laird-White agreed.
“It’s indicative of the spirit of Nyack,” she said. “Nyack is a great place to live, but it’s also a generous place.”
More information about the group and donations can be made on their website, www.NyackPlayground.org.
