By Construction of $500,000 playground involved legions of volunteers
The following article by Ballston Spa Living Editor Ann Hauprich was published in the July 2008 edition of the Saratoga Business Journal. The story is being reprinted as a bonus 2020 Community Yearbook feature in hopes that the now 12-year-old account, accompanied by images donated to the cause in 2008 by a diversity of sources, will inspire friends and neighbors to once again come together … this time to build a multi-generational literary keepsake.
It not only takes a whole village to raise a child; it also takes a whole village to raise a playground. It not only takes a whole village to raise a child; it also takes a whole village to raise a playground. That, at least, proved to be true in Ballston Spa when hundreds of volunteers – including many representatives of the business and professional community – joined together to erect an outdoor recreational area called Kids’ Creekside Village recently. Situated inside of historic Kelley Park, which is bordered on the west side by the Kayaderosseros Creek, the idea for the playground was first conceived four years ago after some residents noticed that a few swings were missing at a different recreational property in the village. Before you could say ‘Let’s play!’ the not-for-profit grassroots group was hard at work laying the foundation for an imaginative and expansive new playground designed to delight children of all ages for generations to come. Those concerns ultimately led to the formation of a group of community-minded citizens who called themselves FANS, short for Friends and Neighbors of Ballston Spa. Before you could say “Let’s play!” the not-for-profit grassroots group was hard at work laying the foundation for an imaginative and expansive new playground designed to delight children of all ages for generations to come. In addition to a kid-size trolley and fire truck, a music area, a rock-climbing wall, a tree house, chain ladders, rings and ladders, a shaky bridge, a sandbox where kids can dig for fake fossils several slides of different shapes and styles and, of course, swings galore, the playground also includes a legacies component. Angela McFarland, who co-chaired the FANS Public Relations Committee with Josh Ness for the past year, said the project’s pioneering Steering Committee left no stone unturned in their quest to make the playground one that truly represented the wants and needs of the entire community. In addition to McFarland and Ness, the committee consisted of Shannon Hansen and Shawn Raymond (General Co-Coordinators); Diane Burke and Danica Andersen (Fundraising Co-chairs); Andy Manion and Betsy Seplowitz (Volunteer Co-Chairs); Lori Riggs and Maureen Gannon (Treasurers); Donna Thomas (Food); Jason Buczek (Tools); Kristie Mathison (Materials); Susan Douglas and Belinda Leackfelt (Children’s Committee Co-Chairs); Lynn Gifford and Felicia Cataldo (Childcare Committee Co-Chairs). These folks and so many others really stepped up to the plate in ways both big and small so that the finished product would be something this and future generations would be able to enjoy. “These folks and so many others really stepped up to the plate in ways both big and small so that the finished product would be something this and future generations would be able to enjoy. In addition to being a place to have fun, Kids Creekside Village has components that celebrate our village’s first 200 years of history and set the stage to create a legacy for future generations,” said McFarland. Included in the schematic plan designed by Leathers & Associates — after soliciting and receiving lots of community input — are a miniature longhouse in recognition of the land’s Native American heritage and a miniature replica of the Old Iron Spring Pavilion as well as facades of such historic landmarks as The Medbery Inn and The Old Chocolate Factory. The Doubleday Playhouse honors the memory of the legendary Abner Doubleday who was born in a house that still stands in the village. The parts of the playground that McFarland — who is also the publisher of Our Towne Ballston Spa, an active Rotarian and member of the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association – expects to take on historical significance at a later date are the engraved pickets that form a secure fence around the entire one-third acre playground which stands on property that was once farmed by Andy Rooney’s maternal ancestors. “If you look closely, you’ll see that each picket bears the name of a family or a business or an organization – or in some cases a deceased relative or a beloved pet. The pickets are made of a highly durable material and so 50 years from now, when the village celebrates the 250th year of its founding, this wonderful record reflecting those who were here in 2008 will still stand. Visitors will also see the colorful handprints of village children that decorate parts of the playground.” The pickets were but one of the many fund-raising initiatives that helped to bring in well over $180,000 in donated goods for the dream playground. (The amount does NOT include in-kind services.) Major sponsors were The Wright Family Foundation, Inc.; Assemblyman Jim Tedisco who secured a NYS recreational grant; Ronald McDonald House Charities; Adirondack Trust Co., Stewart’s Shops, Ballston Spa National Bank; Our Towne Ballston Spa; Curtis Lumber, Mayor John Romano and the Village of Ballston Spa; Taylor Made Group, Inc.; IBEW Local Union 236; and The Ballston Spa Garden Club, however, McFarland stressed, scores of others gave generously in ways that cannot be listed in a single newspaper article – but which can be read about in depth on the expansive and imaginative FANS web site (www.fansofballstonspa.org). Having a presence on the Internet played a pivotal role not just in fundraising endeavors, but also in recruiting volunteers and keeping those from far and wide abreast of breaking news involving the project. Rising to the occasion as FANS volunteer webmaster was Ballston Spa High School alum Mary Reilly who owns a web design business that manages sites for The Rotary Club of Ballston Spa, Our Towne Ballston Spa, Caliber Canines, Cole Broderick Recordings and Legacies Unlimited. Reilly, who donated countless hours to updating and expanding the FANS site from her Averill Park office, said she was honored to be able to contribute to her hometown from a distance. “The purple and gold color scheme was chosen in recognition of the school district’s colors. It was something visitors to the site could readily identify with,” said Reilly, who also made good use of the FANS logo (designed by Meghan Borowsky of The Whistling Kettle on Front Street in the village), which features a cartoon of a child sliding down a curved letter “A”. In addition to the monetary donations, FANS received donations of everything from lumber to landscaping and paving materials as well as display space in the windows of such community-minded businesses as O’Brien’s Pharmacy on Front Street and Grammie’s, a small diner on Milton Avenue. In addition to the beautifully landscaped areas where parents, grandparents and other caregivers can enjoy the shade while seated on benches as they watch the children play, McFarland noted that the entire playground is wheelchair accessible and has been equipped with sensory activities to make the facility accessible to a wide group of soecial needs children in an effort to truly meet the needs of ALL kids.” The six days leading up to the playground’s official opening were especially intense as the years of planning came together like a strategic military operation complete with team captains. The Saratoga Business Journal paid a number of visits to the site while construction was in progress between the morning of Tuesday, May 27 and the evening of Sunday, June 1, and noted the presence of cheery volunteers from virtually every walk of life working side-by-side. Although each of the six days was broken into three shifts (8 a.m. till noon; 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and 5:30 –8:30 p.m., a number of those interviewed had opted to work extra shifts because the spirit of volunteerism was so contagious. Among the most inspiring sights was that of the US Navy volunteers who came to lend a helping hand. Of the 300 sailors who answered the call on their day off, 200 remained on the playground site on Saturday, May 31 while 100 dispersed into the community to help out in settings ranging from the National Bottle Museum to Brookside Museum, home of the Saratoga County Historical Society. Others participated in a car wash at the Eagle Matt Lee Fire Station — which brought in an additional $500 for the playground fund. “I’ve never seen cars so clean!” exclaimed one onlooker. Many of the companies that donated funds to the cause also encouraged employees to roll up their sleeves to saw, hammer, sand and paint. Among them were representatives of Ballston Spa National Bank. President Christopher Dowd said BSNB felt is was important to be a part of the newest village landmark. “The bank applauds the local citizens that had the drive and resolve to bring their vision to reality. We are honored to have helped support this successful effort and wish the community many years of enjoyment at the new facility,” Dowd added. On the evening of Sunday, June 1, the park was officially turned over to the local children who had been eagerly awaiting entry into the play area. NYS Assemblyman James Tedisco led the countdown by releasing the children through an arched balloon passageway. The children could at last hop, jump, skip, run, climb, slide and, of course, swing till their hearts’ content in playground that truly represents the stuff of which dreams are made! The last word in this “Happily Ever Laughter” story goes, fittingly enough, to the FANS Steering Committee who posted the following message for all in the community to see: “There simply aren’t enough words to express our appreciation to the children, parents, grandparents, businesses, sponsors and dedicated individuals who made the village’s dream playground a reality . . . your hard work and commitment is truly inspirational!” The same can surely be said of Steering Committee who gifted the village with the closest thing to a good old-fashioned barn-raising most will ever have the joy of telling their grandchildren about! 
CLICK HERE to view photos of Kids’ Creekside Village playground fundraising and construction week effort that were posted on the 2008 FANS website. Gallery photographs include parade marchers, store front images, making tiles, Gaudy Gala and construction of the playground itself.
