Taking his grandkids to the Saugerties public pool is a highlight of the summer for Bill Robelee. Soon, Robelee and other families will be able to stay cool at a brand new splash pad.
It’s all part of a 20-project, $10 million funding initiative by Gov. Kathy Hochul, aiming to keep kids outside and enjoying summer weather.
“Putting resources like this out there in the community allows kids to enjoy the childhood like we experienced, where we made friends and learned how to interact with others. And get proper exercise,” said Saugerties Town Supervisor Fred Costello. “This is a great opportunity to fill those needs.”
This is the second round of funding for municipal parks and recreation statewide with funds coming from the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
“These grants will help communities with a range of projects to encourage New Yorkers to ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ and enjoy healthy, active recreation,” Hochul said. “This new round of funding from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act continues New York State’s commitment to helping expand access to safe and welcoming parks and recreational facilities all across the state.”
The grant funding allows for the construction of recreational facilities and other improvements to municipally owned recreational sites and parks, such as playgrounds, pools and other recreational activities. The grants can fund up to 90% of the total eligible project costs, and total grant awards are capped at $900,000 for each project.
Saugerties received $605,025 for their splash pad project. More than half of the grant funding awarded benefits disadvantaged communities across New York significantly impacted by environmental changes.
The hope for this statewide investment is not only apart of the governor’s push to reduce kid’s screen time, but to also increase cooling and activity access in communities to ensure they’re safe during hot summer days.
Saugerties Deputy Town Supervisor Leeanne Thornton said this funding will push a seven-year long project to raise funds for the splash pad over the finish line.
“With the cost of everything, it’s very, very expensive,” Thornton said. “Between daycare costs and keeping kids active during the summer. If you have a municipality where you’ve got a pool, or you’ve got a park, you have programs that are free, this is what I think the state is encouraging.”
Robelee says he loves seeing his grandkids out playing with their friends, instead of being inside all day.
“To be able to just to play and sometimes to catch up with another child that’s here and if you come back week after week, they’ll say, ‘oh, there’s so-and-so,'” he said. “There’s the socialization aspect of it too.”