New Kids Playground Was a Full Community Effort

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – “We all know kids love to play.”

Valerie Bryant emphasized these words, as she looked over at a host of energetic, focused and hard-working volunteers assembling a range of fixtures that would soon compose a brand-new playground outside of Newburgh’s Armory Unity Center. Whether it was a local lawn care company mixing cement to secure swingset poles, a community member carefully drilling the ideal spot to hold a handlebar or someone from the Orange County Health Department installing brackets to support individual swings, it was evident that last week’s new playground installation was a community-driven one that was accompanied by large doses of care, love and concern for youth.

Add to that list purposefulness and longevity. The brainchild of the Newburgh Kiwanis Club, the Playground Project began to take shape when its members realized they yearned to do something in the community that was lasting. The International Kiwanis Club, geared toward children, is well known for altruistic, function contributions, including; scholarships to Newburgh Free Academy, Cornwall and SUNY New Paltz students, Annual Baby Shower at St. Lukes Cornwall Hospital as well as funds to the Key Club (its “junior” organization) for international travel. However, it was now time to construct something that would make a lasting, tangible footprint on the community.

That elusive find came when Bryant, who works at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center as well as is Secretary of the Kiwanas Club of Newburgh, realized something was missing at The Armory. Although there was a wide selection of youth programs available indoor the popular facility, nothing on the building’s exterior reflected that “child” population.
“We needed the outdoor visual of a playground for people to see and know what goes on inside,” explained Bryant. “This would also fit our need as Kiwanis members to do something more substantial and lasting for the community.”

And so the process began. With the fiscal help of the Kiwanas Club of Newburgh as well as the Kiwanas Children’s Foundation, the idea took tangible shape. Bryant soon became Coordinator of the Playground Project; while community support immediately followed. A massive social media call was made, resulting in volunteers from the Kiwanis Club’s “junior organization,” Newburgh Free Academy’s Key Club, Lynn Warren Lawn Maintenance & Landscaping, Home Depot and Orange County Ironworks. Further, Play by Design, based in Ithaca, sent out two of their consultants to oversee the intense, three day “Community Build” venture that took place last Sunday-Tuesday and included still further volunteer efforts from local restaurants, keeping everyone well hydrated and fed throughout the long, hot seven hour days.

“None of this would have happened without all of these amazing volunteers,” affirmed a grateful Bryant.

Tuesday, the third and final day, everything could be seen coming together when the foundation was being filled with a huge playground apparatus. Complete with a swing set, slides, rock climbing wall, monkey bars, and teeter totter spinner, the awesome wood-paneled brightly red colored play haven, was safely secured in a full-blown cemented structure. Designed for those ages 4-12 years old, it will very soon be available for use seven days a week to the public during the Armory’s hours of operation (typically 8am-4pm) when someone is in the building.

Not only will a countless number of children benefit from this new playground, but so too will the volunteers, who selflessly gave to its careful construction.

“I came here today to know what I do on this planet makes a difference; if you don’t help your neighbors, you don’t deserve them,” said Town of Newburgh resident, Dave Zimel about his experience with the Playground Project.

Another volunteer, Newburgh teenager, Gurleen Kaur, shared similar sentiments about the rewarding hours she devoted to the Playground Project.

“It’s really great to come out here and help kids today,” said Newburgh Free Academy Main Campus Key Club member, senior Kaur. “As a child, I loved coming to a playground, so being a part of this whole process is very rewarding; I just love helping.”

Thanks to all of the volunteers, Kiwanis Club of Newburgh and several other local agencies, more children will now have the opportunity to follow their natural bliss to play.