Senator Funke secures $225,000 for park playgrounds & pavilions

New York Senator Rich Funke has secured $225,000 to support park and playground improvements in the Town of Pittsford.  Funke made the announcement at the Town’s Great Embankment Park on September 3 and was joined by Pittsford Town Supervisor Bill Smith.  The funds will be used to assist in the construction of three new playgrounds and two new sheltered pavilions as part of ongoing improvements to the Town’s Hopkins, Thornell Farm and Great Embankment parks.

“I’m proud this funding will help the Town complete its parks improvement plan and I hope local families enjoy these new pavilions and playgrounds for years to come,” said Funke. “This investment is all about quality of life. A high quality of life helps growing businesses attract top talent, which in turn helps our region grow jobs. I thank Supervisor Smith and the Town of Pittsford for recognizing the role that quality of life plays in building a strong community.”

The Town of Pittsford launched its Community Athletic Fields Improvement Project in 2012 to resolve unsatisfactory conditions resulting from overuse, to provide athletic facilities sufficient to accommodate public demand, and to improve accessibility. Improvements to Great Embankment Park (631 Marsh Road) will include the construction of three new multi-sport fields, additional parking, sidewalks, a bathroom facility, an open-sided pavilion, and a new playground. Improvements to Thornell Farm Park (480 Mendon Road) will include the construction of a new synthetic multi-sport field with lighting, three new natural grass multi-sport fields, a new open-sided pavilion, and a new playground. Improvements to Hopkins Park (5 Barker Road) will include the re-grading of existing multi-sport fields, installation of irrigation lines, and construction of a new bathroom facility, enlarged parking lot, and playground. The funding delivered by Funke will support construction of new playgrounds and pavilions at all three parks. The Town is also creating a new park - Farm View Park - on Town property adjacent to Calkins Road Middle School and north of Willard Road.

"The improvements made possible by Senator Funke will benefit not just athletic team members and their families but everyone who visits Pittsford's parks,” said Smith. “From the younger siblings of team members on the fields to those who are simply out to enjoy the natural beauty of our parks, the playgrounds and pavilions will be appreciated by everyone.”

Currently, only two playgrounds are available for public use at Town of Pittsford parks and facilities. A playground at Thornell Farm Park was recently closed due to needed modernization and improvements.