OGDENSBURG, New York (WWNY) – A $1 million park project in Ogdensburg is moving forward with the announcement of nearly $800,000 in state funding.
The Hamilton Street Park received the state funding city officials said it needed. Officials call the project a recreation hub for all ages.
“We believe it’s a go, absolutely. This will end up being a state-of-the-art facility, for sure,” said Fonda Chronis, city manager.
Plans include new courts and equipment
The upgrade includes new surfacing, new and different playground equipment, and dual-use courts for pickleball and basketball.
“We’ll have to do the engineering ahead of time; we’ll have to do SEQR, which is the environmental review and then we’ll go from there. So we’ve got a busy winter ahead of us to try and get started in the spring if that timetable works for everybody,” Chronis said.
Old graveyard part of review process
City officials said the question of whether old graves still exist at the park from a former church graveyard will be part of the process. City history buffs suggest a ground survey before any work begins.
“And of course, we’ll follow the lead of the state on that,” Chronis said.
City has received millions in state grants
City officials said they welcome the additional state funding.
“This brings in the past 2 and a half years probably upwards of $35 million in grants from New York state to the city, so certainly recognition of positive things happening in the city,” said Mike Tooley, mayor.
The park’s upgrade will also bring new recreational opportunities to the center of the city, where officials say they are badly needed.
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