Hundreds of volunteers worked over the course of four days in September to create a new, safe and long-lasting playground in Hasbrouck Park, just down the road from the SUNY New Paltz campus. The new structure is similar in design to the playground that had been in the park since 1995, also created through a volunteer-driven effort.
Among those workers were many members of the SUNY New Paltz community. Multiple athletic teams and student organizations went down to support the project, and the Career Resource Center helped coordinate additional student involvement. Members of the University Police Department also dropped by to lend a hand.
Other community members found their own ways to contribute. Doug and Teresa Thompson, owners of Main Street Bistro, led an effort to coordinate donations from multiple restaurants from around town, to keep volunteers fed and hydrated throughout their shifts.
We’re relying so much on our community to volunteer, including our college community, and New Paltz has come out in a big way,” said Village Trustee Michele Zipp, who served as volunteer co-coordinator for this project.
“This is literally a labor of love- everyone is donating their time to create this for kids,” Zipp said, “If you think about it, playgrounds are really amazing. They’re where kids are able to have imaginative play, and where caretaker and parents and babysitters can come and hang out and get to know their neighbors.”
The new Hasbrouck Park playground is made of mostly recycled composites, which should be safer and more durable while remaining environmentally friendly.
Across SUNY, students, faculty and administration alike are coming together to in the spirit of charity and togetherness. 30 Days of Giving is our annual tradition, which starts on Thanksgiving every year, where we reflect on efforts of the past year and highlight some of the selfless acts of that members of the SUNY community are leading. Stay tuned for more.
