Town Looking to Build Playground Next to Community Garden

As part of a "quest to recapture West Main Street," the Town Board is planning on placing a playground next to the River and Roots Community Garden downtown.

Chris Kempner, director of the Community Development Department, said the town is eligible each year for federal funds from the Housing and Urban Development Department to the tune of $150,000. She said in an effort to enhance downtown, a low-income area, roughly $20,000 will be used to install playground equipment behind the newly-renovated comfort station.

Between the and , the plot of land across from the intersection of Griffing Avenue and West Main Street will be undergoing its third upgrade in the past year. And Town Engineer Ken Testa said three-acre Grangebel Park — — may be connected to the plot with a decorative walkway.

Kempner said she and Recreation Department Supervisor Ray Coyne are going to finalize which equipment the town should go out to bid on —  monkey bars, slides, swings, etc. The playground is likely to be fenced in.

Supervisor Sean Walter called the proposal "part of our quest to recapture West Main Street," adding that the comfort station — which the town renovated with county grant money — will be open for this weekend's Country Fair.