NEVERSINK –– The Neversink Town Park, located off State Route 42 in Grahamsville, opened in 2016 and currently has no play structure for young children. However, thanks to a collaborative effort between members of the local community, Tri-Valley Bears Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and Town, it will soon.

It became evident to retired Tri-Valley Kindergarten Teacher Adele Barnard, during the isolation period of the COVID-19 pandemic, that kids needed a place to partake in outdoor activities. The school playground, she said, is usually inaccessible to the public during summer school and often closed for maintenance in the summer. 

In April 2021, she approached the Neversink Town Board with the idea for a play structure at the Town Park, and they recommended she set up a committee, which now includes her husband Chuck and PTO members Dana McCarthy, Melissa Wilhelm, Corey Borden, Nicole Burkey, Larry Whipple and Erik Raykoff.

Barnard wrote to local businesses/organizations, and the committee sold raffle tickets and held ice cream socials. Their collective fundraising efforts, coupled with $10,000 from the Town in their 2023 budget towards the purchasing of a play structure and $5,000 for site work by the Town Highway Department, allowed them to secure one for just under $37,000.

Barnard said the original goal was to get a structure that would accommodate children ages 2-12 and the one they purchased is geared for those 5-12; however, the committee felt enough of it could accommodate 2-5 year olds. 

The committee is continuing fundraising efforts to purchase two additional pieces that would better support those ages 2-5 and children with disabilities. 

Site work has already begun in preparation for the installation of the recently purchased structure in time for spring.

“I see this as a positive addition to the community,” said Barnard, “for several reasons … the physical, social and mental well-being of local children and [that it] will be a gathering place for families. The play structure will add an activity to widen use of the Town Park.” 

Barnard added that the playground will create another incentive for young families to reside in the area. 

Neversink Town Supervisor Chris Mathews had high praise for the group of volunteers.

“The success of the Rt 42 Playground Project gives me another opportunity to brag about my little town and it’s large, generous volunteer community,” he said. “When someone needs help or we need to get something done we come together.  

“Adele Barnard recently came to the Town Board with a vision and a plan to fundraise,” he continued. “Very quickly Adele, her group of volunteers, and our community met their goals to fund our new community playground. The Town is extremely grateful for their hard work and generosity!”

Donations towards the purchasing of the two additions to the future play area can be sent to the Tri-Valley Bears PTO at P.O. Box 43, Grahamsville, NY, 12740. 

More info on the project can also be found on the Route 42 Community Playground Project Facebook page.