Thursday, April 24, 2008

A Brief History of The Tots Park


We all know that the Cold Spring Tiny Tots Park is a terrific place to play! But did you know……

1. The Tots Park exists thanks to volunteer-led, community-wide efforts. Since 1981, numerous community members have played a role in making this playground a reality, including the original Mothers on Mondays group (MOMs), the Village of Cold Spring, the Philipstown Community Council, the Cold Spring Lions Club, and the Friends of the Tots Park – as well as countless others.

2. The Tots Park’s current site within McConville Park is actually the playground’s third location. Several different locations have been proposed for the playground over the years. The Tots Park was originally sited on the grounds of the Haldane School District in 1981, then moved to McConville in 1990 and established at its current site in 1999.

3. What is now McConville Park was once the site of the original Haldane School District building, which operated from 1889-1936. (The building was razed in 1956.)

4. McConville Park has been owned by the Village of Cold Spring since 1973. The property is currently zoned R-1 with four potential residential building lots.

5. The Tots Park’s current site is considered ideal for a children’s playground because of its level grade, ample shade protection, and protected convenient location, which is easily accessible by village pedestrians (and strollers!).

6. Thanks entirely to the generosity of many local residents and businesses, the Tots Park’s play equipment was purchased in 1990-1991 and relocated to the current site in 1999. The playground’s perimeter fence acknowledges these numerous supporters by name – check it out!

7. Here are just a few of the folks who worked to create the Tots Park we know today – give ‘em your thanks if you see them around town! Kathy Curto, Lara Demberg, Johanna Rolfman, Leslie Uribe, Tim Brennan, Maria Toland, Donald McDonald, Bill Thomas, John Froats, Joshua Zinder……


The Village of Cold Spring, through its Recreation Commission, oversees the Cold Spring Tiny Tots Park. The Friends of the Tots Park is a volunteer group of parents, community members, and others who support the park. Contact totspark@yahoo.com for more information or to make a contribution.

1 comment:

Beth said...

We learned recently that the park's site was dedicated for recreational use when the land was originally deeded to the village years ago....which means the park is likely to be there for awhile!