Friends of Douglas Park
With the help and persistence of a handful of Webber Park residents, including our new Village Mayor and Trustees, Sean McCarthy and Anthony Giaccio, the decision to renovate the Douglas Park playground was made in late 2009, and put on the Village of Sleepy Hollow's agenda for 2010. The village set aside a modest budget for the new playground. ( http://tarrytown.patch.com/articles/douglas-park-to-get-natural-makeover )
Already past the end of it's proverbial lifespan, the old playground was removed as it proved to be a dangerous and grim meeting place within, inronically, a beautiful setting. The Friends of Douglas Park debated over replacing the space with a modern playstructure versus a natural playground, and came to favor an integrated, cohesive playground that would offset the surrounding woodland. Additionally, this type of playground can lend itself to more creative play. While taking inspiration from many sources, and the recent scaping of Neperan Park http://tarrytown.patch.com/listings/neperan-park ,in Tarrytown, the final park plan drawing is illustrated below.
May 2012
05/05/2012 It is always a great day when residents, friends, families and anyone who loves Douglas Park come together for a day filled with games, wood chips and blueberry bushes! Not to mention a slice of 'Fleetwood' pizza and some playground time. Volunteers helped to plant a blueberry patch, from generous donations provided by Westover Landscape Design and Rosedale Nurseries. The rock maze was overhauled by removing the grass and replacing with wood chips, and the sand box was resurrected and put back in order. Many volunteers spent the day cleaning out the swale and every corner known in the playground - quite a feat and a difference made! The SHEC directed volunteers to remove 'invasives'. The Historical Society provided a respite with games and regional stories for the children, and a small letter-boxing hunt was put into place. Thankfully, Coffee Labs was the center of a break table where volunteers could also sample Calendula treats from Buttercup and Jake. Having the DPW on hand for tools and supplies was a reassuring presence. Check out the Tarrytown Patch link for a look at the fun from the day: http://tarrytown.patch.com/articles/in-photos-douglas-park-family-fun#photo-9870883
Future projects include: Completion of the Log Fort (east of the rock maze); correcting any damaged playground equipment and structural replacement.
June 2011
Final touches to be added and summer is on its way. Residents now have a wonderful place to take family and friends to play and picnic, or just relax, news of a new hill slide is in the works! Additionally, adequate signage and garbage receptacles.
May 2011
05/01/2011, A successful Family Volunteer Day: Our contracted playground company coordinated with Webber Park residents, Boyscouts and guests to construct an element of the natural playground, in Douglas Park. A "Labyrinth". To see where, within the park this will be placed, refer to the plan map. New trees and plantings were put in, the park was cleaned up and temporary toilet made available. The 'ramp' element has replaced with a climbing piece due to safety. Looking ahead to a slide in the coming year. Thanks to all residents and guests who helped out and donated much needed labor and play time to our new playground at Douglas Park. We made the home page of Patch today! http://tarrytown.patch.com/articles/douglas-park-family-volunteer-day. More information on this event can be also be found at River Journal, online: www.riverjournalonline.com/villages/sleepyhollow/1842-family-volunteer-day-in-douglas-park
March 2011
Spring Arrives! The playground, while still under construction, held up through a rigorous winter. The drainage and consequent damage will be corrected prior to any new installation of playground equipment. 'Follow the Child' and Anthony Giaccio, Village Administrator, met with their contractor on 3/10, Thursday, to discuss the erosion problems. The contractor will begin this month to extend the swale to catch and direct the water runoff on the right side of the playground. He will deepen the existing swale at several points and add stones. The village will also regrade and add new sand and wood chips. The stumps and logs have to be re-set around the small playset as well. A lot of work, but they hope to get it done before the work day on May 1.
October 2010
The DPW was hard at work during the end of September and first week of October, installing the Sand Pit, a magical retaining wall, surrounding the swings, and the 5-12 year old play structure. The playground is now very populated in the late afternoon and mornings as word has gotten out of the new equipment. Fingers crossed for new picnic tables.
September 2010
The first installation of the new playground has taken place! If you have not already visited the park, pack a snack and take a stroll over to see the 2-5 year old playstructure area. By referencing the map below, you will be able to see the placement of this component in addition to the stepping logs. The swings will remain, and the tire swing has been removed. The second installation will occur when new elements for the playground have been produced and according to the DPW's schedule.
Spring Arrives! The playground, while still under construction, held up through a rigorous winter. The drainage and consequent damage will be corrected prior to any new installation of playground equipment. 'Follow the Child' and Anthony Giaccio, Village Administrator, met with their contractor on 3/10, Thursday, to discuss the erosion problems. The contractor will begin this month to extend the swale to catch and direct the water runoff on the right side of the playground. He will deepen the existing swale at several points and add stones. The village will also regrade and add new sand and wood chips. The stumps and logs have to be re-set around the small playset as well. A lot of work, but they hope to get it done before the work day on May 1.
October 2010
The DPW was hard at work during the end of September and first week of October, installing the Sand Pit, a magical retaining wall, surrounding the swings, and the 5-12 year old play structure. The playground is now very populated in the late afternoon and mornings as word has gotten out of the new equipment. Fingers crossed for new picnic tables.
September 2010
The first installation of the new playground has taken place! If you have not already visited the park, pack a snack and take a stroll over to see the 2-5 year old playstructure area. By referencing the map below, you will be able to see the placement of this component in addition to the stepping logs. The swings will remain, and the tire swing has been removed. The second installation will occur when new elements for the playground have been produced and according to the DPW's schedule.
Second Installation - Sand Pit
Work has largely been completed by the DPW which has saved tremendously on the budget. The smaller play structure is in place, as well as the tree stump climbing area, sand pit, and excavation for the larger play structure. Here is a progress update, from Anthony Giaccio, Village Administrator:
"1) Sand has been ordered for the sand box [pictured at right] and will be put in mid September.
2) Large play structure is scheduled to come in, the week of September 27.
3) A local landscaper will be replacing the plastic border around the swings with a wood retaining wall, by the end of the month. The landscaper will also provide large rocks to go in front of swings.
4) DPW is making benches out of trees. They are working on this when they are not busy, so this will take a while.
5) Would like the boy scouts to be involved to create the trail on the hill east of the playground. If not, DPW will do it. Bridges can be purchased locally and delivered same day. The slide still has to be ordered.
6) DPW needs to drag Locust tree from north end of Douglas Park to play area.
7) Maze has to be created.
Whether or not the ribbon cutting occurs on October 3, the Village is using that date as a goal to have a majority of the work done."
"1) Sand has been ordered for the sand box [pictured at right] and will be put in mid September.
2) Large play structure is scheduled to come in, the week of September 27.
3) A local landscaper will be replacing the plastic border around the swings with a wood retaining wall, by the end of the month. The landscaper will also provide large rocks to go in front of swings.
4) DPW is making benches out of trees. They are working on this when they are not busy, so this will take a while.
5) Would like the boy scouts to be involved to create the trail on the hill east of the playground. If not, DPW will do it. Bridges can be purchased locally and delivered same day. The slide still has to be ordered.
6) DPW needs to drag Locust tree from north end of Douglas Park to play area.
7) Maze has to be created.
Whether or not the ribbon cutting occurs on October 3, the Village is using that date as a goal to have a majority of the work done."
July/August 2010
"After a brief respite and ease into summer, Friends of Douglas Park, and the Webber Park Association, has received a progress report from Anthony Giaccio, Sleepy Hollow Village Administrator, on the status of Douglas Park's new playground.
Anthony Giaccio, Village Architect Sean McCarthy and DPW General Foreman Richard Gross met with the contracted playground company “Follow the Child” (http://www.followthechild.com/) at the site to review their design if any changes need to be made based on site conditions. There were some minor recommended changes and the Village is waiting for the final design from Follow the Child. In the meantime, Sean McCarthy was consulted regarding the swale and retaining wall to initiate groundwork. The DPW began work on July 16th to re-establish the swale, which will direct water around the playground from the drainage/runoff flow above, which is the aqueduct trail. This is necessary in order to complete the final design.
In the mean time, there are four “manufactured” playground pieces, to the natural playground, in the design. (1.)The slide, (2.) the 2-5 year old playground and (3.,4.) the 5-12 year old playground which has two pieces. Anthony is working with “ Follow the Child” on the specs for these 4 components, so that they can obtain quotes for each. The village has already received three quotes for the 2-5 year old playground, and this will be the first piece to be installed. The DPW will remove the tire swing and bring it down to Devries Park.
Friends of Douglas Park would like to heartily thank all who attended the preliminary design input phases and have kept up with the project to assist with getting the new park on the Village’s agenda. Stay tuned for an announcement on a long awaited ribbon cutting to happen early fall 2010."
Douglas Park Final Park Plan Drawing
"After a brief respite and ease into summer, Friends of Douglas Park, and the Webber Park Association, has received a progress report from Anthony Giaccio, Sleepy Hollow Village Administrator, on the status of Douglas Park's new playground.
Anthony Giaccio, Village Architect Sean McCarthy and DPW General Foreman Richard Gross met with the contracted playground company “Follow the Child” (http://www.followthechild.com/) at the site to review their design if any changes need to be made based on site conditions. There were some minor recommended changes and the Village is waiting for the final design from Follow the Child. In the meantime, Sean McCarthy was consulted regarding the swale and retaining wall to initiate groundwork. The DPW began work on July 16th to re-establish the swale, which will direct water around the playground from the drainage/runoff flow above, which is the aqueduct trail. This is necessary in order to complete the final design.
In the mean time, there are four “manufactured” playground pieces, to the natural playground, in the design. (1.)The slide, (2.) the 2-5 year old playground and (3.,4.) the 5-12 year old playground which has two pieces. Anthony is working with “ Follow the Child” on the specs for these 4 components, so that they can obtain quotes for each. The village has already received three quotes for the 2-5 year old playground, and this will be the first piece to be installed. The DPW will remove the tire swing and bring it down to Devries Park.
Friends of Douglas Park would like to heartily thank all who attended the preliminary design input phases and have kept up with the project to assist with getting the new park on the Village’s agenda. Stay tuned for an announcement on a long awaited ribbon cutting to happen early fall 2010."
Douglas Park Final Park Plan Drawing