The Friends and Neighbors of Ballston Spa, or FANS for short, have much to celebrate this week.
More than one year ago, the group was asking for money and volunteers for a children's playground, which came to fruition in July 2008. As the park just celebrated its first anniversary, the 1,200 volunteers are looking back at the hours of time and money they spent to make this dream a reality. Today, children play at the Ballston Spa-themed playground all day long.
Just three months ago, the playground wasn't paid off until the Village Board paid a $4,000 deficit to Curtis Lumber for parts. The rest of the $500,000 cost was paid with donations, fundraising efforts and donated labor. With those funds, FANS built the park in five days, from May 28 to June 1, 2008.
"The whole park was custom built and is a really neat and unique playground. Even the parents have fun playing with their children there," said Shannon Hansen, chairperson of FANS. "It was designed by the children of the community."
FANS hired the Ithaca-based Leathers and Associates to interview the community children and then to design the playground. Today, there are fire trucks, a "Doubleday" house, a trolley and a replica of the chocolate factory, amongst other Ballston Spa themed equipment.
"Leather and Associates interviewed children in the area to get their perspective of Ballston Spa, and designed this playground to capture the children's' ideas," Hansen said.
Starting this summer FANS will present the Kids Creekside Summer Series, an educational and entertaining event that allows people to show off their talents and to share with others their knowledge. The free series has a goal of keeping children engaged in learning during the summer months.
"We have so many people who are willing to share their free time and talent with the children of our community," Hansen said.
The summer series will run every Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and will cover themes from making jewelry to worm composting and karate classes.
"What's great about the whole part and the summer series is that everything is completely free. There's no need to pay a fee but we are always accepting donations for the upkeep of the park itself," Hansen said.
The summer series includes:
• 7/10 - Jewelry Making with
Corina Oberai of Corina
Contemporary Jewelry and Fine
Crafts and free ice cream from
Stewarts, while supplies last.
• 7/17- Flower Pressing with the
Ballston Spa House and
Garden Club.
• 7/24- Adirondack Folk Songs
with Dan Berggren - bring a
blanket or lawn chairs for
seating.
• 7/31- Karate Fundamentals &
Demonstration by Jeff Melander
of Red Dragon.
• 8/7- Kevin McKrell Concert -
bring a blanket or lawn chairs for
seating.
• 8/14- Pet Care for Kids
featuring Danica Salamun
Andersen, DVM of the Ballston
Spa Veterinary Clinic.
• 8/21 - Worm Composting
presented by Karen Totino of
Green Conscience Home &
Garden 2 bring an 18 gallon
storage tub with a lid to the park
and learn how to use worms for
composting.
• 8/28*- "Stories Under the
Stars"- Chris Grubb of Ballston
Area Community Center will
offer a special end of summer
night time presentation on myths
related to constellations
including their *location in the
night sky. Bring a blanket and
join the fun.
* Special Time 8 to 9 p.m.
For more information about Kelley Park or the Summer
Park Series, contact FANS at
(518) 885-1525 or visit www.fansof
ballstonspa.org.
Just three months ago, the playground wasn't paid off until the Village Board paid a $4,000 deficit to Curtis Lumber for parts. The rest of the $500,000 cost was paid with donations, fundraising efforts and donated labor. With those funds, FANS built the park in five days, from May 28 to June 1, 2008.
"The whole park was custom built and is a really neat and unique playground. Even the parents have fun playing with their children there," said Shannon Hansen, chairperson of FANS. "It was designed by the children of the community."
FANS hired the Ithaca-based Leathers and Associates to interview the community children and then to design the playground. Today, there are fire trucks, a "Doubleday" house, a trolley and a replica of the chocolate factory, amongst other Ballston Spa themed equipment.
"Leather and Associates interviewed children in the area to get their perspective of Ballston Spa, and designed this playground to capture the children's' ideas," Hansen said.
Starting this summer FANS will present the Kids Creekside Summer Series, an educational and entertaining event that allows people to show off their talents and to share with others their knowledge. The free series has a goal of keeping children engaged in learning during the summer months.
"We have so many people who are willing to share their free time and talent with the children of our community," Hansen said.
The summer series will run every Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and will cover themes from making jewelry to worm composting and karate classes.
"What's great about the whole part and the summer series is that everything is completely free. There's no need to pay a fee but we are always accepting donations for the upkeep of the park itself," Hansen said.
The summer series includes:
• 7/10 - Jewelry Making with
Corina Oberai of Corina
Contemporary Jewelry and Fine
Crafts and free ice cream from
Stewarts, while supplies last.
• 7/17- Flower Pressing with the
Ballston Spa House and
Garden Club.
• 7/24- Adirondack Folk Songs
with Dan Berggren - bring a
blanket or lawn chairs for
seating.
• 7/31- Karate Fundamentals &
Demonstration by Jeff Melander
of Red Dragon.
• 8/7- Kevin McKrell Concert -
bring a blanket or lawn chairs for
seating.
• 8/14- Pet Care for Kids
featuring Danica Salamun
Andersen, DVM of the Ballston
Spa Veterinary Clinic.
• 8/21 - Worm Composting
presented by Karen Totino of
Green Conscience Home &
Garden 2 bring an 18 gallon
storage tub with a lid to the park
and learn how to use worms for
composting.
• 8/28*- "Stories Under the
Stars"- Chris Grubb of Ballston
Area Community Center will
offer a special end of summer
night time presentation on myths
related to constellations
including their *location in the
night sky. Bring a blanket and
join the fun.
* Special Time 8 to 9 p.m.
For more information about Kelley Park or the Summer
Park Series, contact FANS at
(518) 885-1525 or visit www.fansof
ballstonspa.org.
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