Credit: Lorelei Christensen
The Grand Opening for the newly rebuilt SPARC Park playground will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, at 40 Creamery Road in Stanfordville. State Senator Michelle Hinchey, County Legislator Chris Drago and members of the Stanford Town Board will be in attendance to show their support. A new time capsule will be buried to commemorate the event.
The original SPARC Park was built over 30 years ago as a community project, and a group of residents similarly organized the rebuild. The 14,000-square foot playground was designed with ideas from the children of the community, and it features upgraded safety surfacing and unique touches that pay homage to the history and small businesses of the community, as well as elements that make the park accessible to people of all abilities.
Using loaned and donated tools, as well as materials and hardware from a number of local businesses, some 300 volunteers completed the work over eight days. The town raised more than $500,000 to fund the cost of materials and equipment, with the total value of donated goods and services nearing $1.5 million with no taxpayer funding, according to Town Board member Julia Descoteaux.
SPARC Park draws children and their families from neighboring towns such as Pine Plains, Millbrook, Milan, Clinton Corners and Salt Point. A survey conducted in spring of 2023 found that most visitors to the park drive five to 15 minutes to get there, creating a travel radius that encompasses over 30,000 Northern Dutchess County residents.
Credit: Michael Churton
Descoteaux has served as the general coordinator of the SPARC Park Playground Committee. “The support and encouragement that we’ve received from our community has been nothing short of remarkable,” she said. “Our entire community has stepped up to help through a donation, making signs for our volunteers or turning wrenches to build this playground for our children. When the community builds the playground, the playground will build the community.”