Saratoga Spa State Park is among 13 statewide
\nthat will get funding for improvements this fall.
\nThe state has committed $2.5 million to
\nbuild or improve playgrounds at eight parks.<\/p>\n
The park improvements are part of the NY
\nParks 2020 state park revitalization plan, which
\nincludes a commitment to add or improve 100
\nplaygrounds by 2020.<\/p>\n
The Saratoga project calls for expanding the
\nexisting Peerless and Geyser area playgrounds
\nwith new play features and natural elements
\nthat will integrate play with the park’s
\nenvironmental education programming, state
\nofficials said. The Geyser playground will focus
\non the aquatic habitat of the adjacent Geyser
\nCreek, and the Peerless playground will feature
\nnaturalized fields to support the habitat of
\npollinators.<\/p>\n
“New York’s state parks are second to none
\nand these playground improvements are yet
\none more reason for families to pay them a
\nvisit,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “With this
\nfunding, we are building on our success in
\nimproving state parks and are encouraging a
\nnew generation of New Yorkers to appreciate
\nthe great outdoors.”<\/p>\n
Under the initiative, State Parks will
\nreplace outdated playgrounds at the parks
\nwith modern, code- compliant equipment and
\ndistinct areas for young and older age groups.
\nPlayground improvements will be coupled with
\nsite improvements, including shade trees or
\ncanopies, seating, water fountains and trail\/
\nwalkway connections to the rest of the park.<\/p>\n
“Playgrounds offer much more than a place
\nto have fun; they help children build physical
\nstrength, coordination and balance – while
\ndeveloping social skills,” said State Parks
\nCommissioner Rose Harvey.<\/p>\n
Construction will take place following the
\npeak summer season. The playgrounds are
\nexpected to be ready for use next year.<\/p>\n
Since 2011, State Parks has built or improved
\n47 playgrounds as part of the Governor’s historic
\ncommitment to improving parks and expanding
\naccess to outdoor recreation. NY Parks 2020
\nprogram is a multi-year commitment to
\nleverage $900 million in private and public
\nfunding for State Parks from 2011 to 2020. The
\n2015-16 state budget allocates $110 million
\ntoward this initiative.<\/p>\n
The New York State Office of Parks,
\nRecreation and Historic Preservation oversees
\n180 state parks and 35 historic sites, visited by 62
\nmillion people annually. For more information
\non any of these recreation areas, call 474-0456
\nor visit www.nysparks.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Saratoga Spa State Park is among 13 statewide that will get funding for improvements this fall. The state has committed $2.5 million to build or improve playgrounds at eight parks. The park improvements are part of the NY Parks 2020…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[57,102],"class_list":["post-17794","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-news","tag-business-news","tag-ny-state"],"yoast_head":"\r\n