By Jessie Smith
Growing up in Stanfordville is nothing short of the childhood dream, where days are spent adventuring through fields and forests, riding ponies, and playing at SPARC Park. Locals still refer to the park as the best kept secret in the area. Yet, 30 years later, this best kept secret is in need of some major updates.
“It started out as just talking to the town supervisor [Wendy Burton] about the tennis courts,” says Everett Cook, longtime Stanford resident. “Myself and [wife] Helen wanted to give the town pickleball courts, and when we saw the tennis courts, I approached Wendy about how the town could go about restoring them. Since the town could not raise the money themselves, Wendy asked if we would take on the role to source the fundraising money needed to restore the courts.”
What was just to be a fundraising effort for new tennis courts developed into a much larger project. Knowing how important the park was to the local community and its residents, the Cooks looked to develop a team that was equally as passionate about restoring the park.
The volunteer based committee brings leadership and expertise in the various fields needed to execute the project. Working closely with both Wendy Burton and Lauren Osterman, the Stanford recreation director, the committee has been able to create a master plan far beyond repairing the tennis courts, and generate enough fundraising to get the project underway.
Included in the master plan is a tennis court restoration, restoration of the current playground and swimming area, creation of a new skatepark, resurfacing of the soccer fields, new walking trails, a new yoga and exercise space, along with a community garden.
“Lauren has been fantastic to work with. She single handedly got the $125,000 grant from the state to have the tennis courts rebuilt,” mentions Everett. “The collaboration with the town has been wonderful,” he adds.
“Not many towns have a green space like Stanfordville does,” says Osterman. “We are excited to rebuild the playground, and be able to offer even more outdoor facilities to our residents and surrounding communities.”
Community is at the forefront of this project. The original playground was a ‘hands- on’ community initiative where local residents volunteered their time to build it. The same hands-on approach will be used to rebuild the new playground. The project will incorporate environmentally friendly materials and be ADA compliant.
Since the campaign went public earlier this year, the community has been encouraged to give feedback which has been overwhelmingly positive. The master plan includes the suggestions voiced by residents.
“This is everyone’s park, and we want everyone to be able to be part of the process, as well as feel proud of their community and the final result,” says Helen.
“The community is what makes this area such a wonderful place to live, and being able to bring the park back to its original state, while making vast improvements along the way in order to benefit the community is something that Helen and I are deeply passionate and committed to,” Everett adds.
Fundraising is still on-going, and will continue throughout the fall and winter. Attending the various fundraising events is the best way to donate and learn more about the final project, which is expected to be completed some time in 2023. For more information about the project and how to donate, visit their website: stanfordvillerecreationcampaign.org