Wampsville Community Park
Two years after the committee was formed, and a year after construction, the Wampsville Community Park is officially finished — with only a few final touches planned.
Members of the Wampsville Community Park Committee and residents came out for the official ribboncutting, with some of their children taking the chance to hop onto the swings before the adults started talking.
Committee Chair Lori Seymour said there have been some new additions since construction was finished last August.
“In one year, we built this entire park. We’ve got the accelerator swing in; we’re getting the slide ready and there’s going to be a wheelchair accessible picnic table,” Seymour said. “We’re going to add some trees
and bushes after but I think that’s it for now.”
The park has been open since its construction was completed last year, except for closing in the winter or during the addition of new equipment. Since then, Seymour says she has always seen people using the park when she drives by. Not too long ago, she said, she saw a family have an afternoon picnic in the park — something she agreed is rare nowadays.
Seymour added that there may be more down the road, but that it’s still too early to tell.
At the ribbon- cutting ceremony, Seymour thanked all the committee members who spent countless hours volunteering to ensure the park was built, the fundraising efforts of residents and buildings — including Die Molding who matched the committee’s $25,000 raised — and organizations like the Central New York Children’s Foundation who made the process of becoming a 501 (c) (3) much easier.
Highlighting how important local parks can be, Seymour quoted educational psychologist Patricia Ramsey, saying “Play, while it cannot change the external realities of children’s lives, can be a vehicle for children to explore and enjoy their differences and similarities and to create, even for a brief time, a more just world where everyone is an equal and a valued participant.”
“At any given moment,” she continued. “You will see parents, grandparents, children, foster care workers, community residents children with their parents and teenagers here enjoying this space. A mom who was a school teacher shared that this past summer, she and her children went to different parks in central New York. They lived in Westmoreland and happened to go by our park one day.”
According to Seymour, the mother described the Wampsville Community Park as one of her family’s favorites, saying “…it seems calm, relaxing and inviting.”
And thanks to it being ADA accessible, another mother was able to watch their child with developmental delays have fun with other children without any issue, Seymour added.
“I am sure you can imagine just how proud I was and for those of you who know me, you will know that it made me tear up to hear this,” Seymour said.
CNY Children’s Foundation President Peter Finocchiaro said the park turned out great and was proud to be part of the project. He and his granddaughter, Isabella Szemkow, took a turn at the swings before the day was over.
“I love this community,” Seymour said. “So it’s nice when you’re able to give back.”
Fundraising will continue for the park through the Wampsville village office. Residents can purchase a paver to honor, remember or celebrate someone special. Donations are always welcome, and those that donate will be recognized through the “Friends of the Park” wall on the back of the park sign. Funds will be used to complete a slide, even with the ground, the addition of new plants and bushes and more.