Assemblymember Karen McMahon announced Friday the securement of $500,000 for a new playground at the Town of Amherst’s Kingsgate Park.
The previous playground was recently taken down due to safety concerns, but the removal upset many community members.
Amherst Deputy Supervisor Angela Marinucci empathized with the community about the removal but said it was the right move.
"The highway supervisor, superintendent, with his team, needs to make decisions on the safety factors of these playgrounds. I wasn't involved in that decision or how it came forward, but of paramount importance to us is the safety of the residents of Amherst. And so, if a playground is not meeting those safety standards, we do need to make sometimes tough decisions that will be better in the long haul when we can get a better playground. So we were sad, too," said Marinucci.
But McMahon said the new playground will be special because the community can voice what it wants to see before it’s built.
"Your input will be invaluable. This is a great opportunity, not just to replace or upgrade a playground, but to create something that reflects the needs and priorities of this neighborhood. The funding provides us with the opportunity, but the people who live here will shape its future," said McMahon.
Mary Diana Pouli, the executive director of the Town of Amherst Youth and Recreation Department, said they have some ideas in store to pitch to the community.
"We have some special features. I'll give you a little hint. We might build off the fact that this playground is located next to a ball field, but that's all I'm going to say. We're going to share those with the community as a jumping-off point. If they like that, that's great. If they don't, then once again, it's 100% up to them what they're going to do," said Pouli.
The community meeting will be announced on the Town of Amherst's Facebook page and is expected to be on a Saturday in October, with a Spring 2027 construction date planned for the project.
