Central Park Playground is open. Excerpt from the Gazette:
Quoted Text
Children are flocking to the new playground at Central Park that was designed to allow disabled children to play with their peers. A parent who started the movement to build an accessible playground was moved nearly to tears when she saw how eagerly the playground was embraced by children without disabilities. “My daughter would have loved to have a playground,” said Sabrina Holiday-Harder, whose daughter died before the playground was built. “She would say, ‘Let’s go over there and play with those kids.’ She was developmentally disabled, but she had the same wishes and desires to play with other children.” This week, Holiday-Harder took pictures of children without handicaps playing on the equipment. “It’s a dream come true,” she said. “The equipment is attractive to any child. I think all the necessary elements are there to bring the children together.” Until it was built, children in wheelchairs had to sit on the sidelines while their friends raced up and down ladders and stairs. The sandy ground bogged down their wheels, so they couldn’t even get to the bottom of the one ramp at the playground. Even the swings were just out of reach. Children who couldn’t hold themselves upright could only use the baby swings, and once they outgrew them, all that was left to do was watch everyone else have fun. The plight led three parents to raise money for a playground where their daughters could play with their non-disabled peers. They were not able to raise enough money for even one piece of accessible equipment, but the city took over the project and got $1 million in grants last year. Unfortunately, the children of all three parents died before the playground was built. But their idea seems to have been wildly successful. The soft ground and inventive toys are so enticing that children began playing at the park before the playground was officially complete. This week, workers finally finished their last task as hordes of children climbed on the equipment nearby.
As a longtime city resident and homeowner, I am tired of hearing and reading about how bad Schenectady has become. Admittedly, Schenectady has problems, some of which are very serious, however our city is no different than other cities that are also suffering from the same ravaged economy and [related] bad publicity. The tragedy is that the positive side of what is happening to make Schenectady a better place to live is never acknowledged. If we truly want our city to regain its prominence as a good city to raise a family or have businesses return, than we must begin to support and recognize what has been accomplished on our behalf by our community’s civic and elected leaders. While a great deal of energy has been spent revitalizing the appearance of our city, the hard work and commitment of the city to make Central Park a more functional, accessible and enjoyable park for all ages deserves the recognition of a grateful community. The single most important improvement to the park was the transformation of “Tiny Tot Land” into a safe environment for our dearest loved ones to have fun. It was during our first visit to Tiny Tot Land with our grandson in tow, that we realized the tremendous amount of work the city devoted to this very special project. As we drove around the park that day, we were further impressed to find that everywhere we looked, a project was under way. Like all cities, Schenectady faces unprecedented times with ever-increasing troubles. However, this city resident feels better knowing there are people in our government and community who care enough to make sure we have a safe, picturesque park for our family’s enjoyment during all seasons.
Sweet Mr. Kennedy. So let's just all sit around a camp fire, roast marshmallows and sing while the city/county is being taxed to death, crime is rampant and the DSS building can't handle the influx of welfare recipients. How 'bout buying a swing-set, setting it up in your own back yard (if your are lucky enough to be able to afford one) and in the long run it'll save ya a bundle on taxes.
Ah Yup....I can see everyone wanting to move here for the great Central Park playground.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
the city and rotterdam needs more parks for the kids and older people. taxes shoud be raised more so that the good people here and in the city have a better life. the rich people in eldorado acres shoud pay there fair share.
Sounds like Mr Kennedy needs to take off those rose colored glasses and stop listening to what the govt tells him is "right". Wake up Mr Kennedy, before it's too late.
the city and rotterdam needs more parks for the kids and older people. taxes shoud be raised more so that the good people here and in the city have a better life. the rich people in eldorado acres shoud pay there fair share.
i dont even no Sal but he is right on many things here. you BGAGE must be one of the rich poeple who lives in eldorado and don't pay your taxes and hate the children and seniors
I'm still wondering why the entire county has to pay for the city's park...
Keep voting for phonies like Judy D! They want to keep transferring suburban tax money to the City cesspool. Like Metrograft, like companies leaving Rotterdam for tax giveaways in the City. Wake up and vote her out.
As far as Kennedy's nonsense letter-another diversion. While the City keeps collapsing, while our taxes are the highest in the Nation, while Metrograft can't open another gin mill, talk up nothing. "4 Seasons?" What idiots goes there in the winter? Besides Sal/Left Turn?
i dont even no Sal but he is right on many things here. you BGAGE must be one of the rich poeple who lives in eldorado and don't pay your taxes and hate the children and seniors
Tiny Tot playground has been closed by City "leaders"! Apparently the rubber matting was improperly installed and the contractors refused to fix it.
Another example of the type of leadership installed in City Hall. Nobody cares about anything other than feathering their own nest. This comes on the heels of an idiotic trial balloon by Mayor Stratton to close 3 of the 4 City pools due to his record $13 Million deficit. Years of political hiring and refusal to manage overtime have caught up with the them. Working together works? For whom? Not the kids of Schenectady.
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Keep voting for phonies like Judy D! They want to keep transferring suburban tax money to the City cesspool. Like Metrograft, like companies leaving Rotterdam for tax giveaways in the City. Wake up and vote her out.
