Cold Spring Tots Park

Rain or Shine, The Jamboree will Rock On!

2011-08-25T14:12:00.001-04:00

Don't let Irene keep you away!!! If its rainy on Saturday, The Jamboree moves to the Butterfield Library across the street. A perfect way to get your wiggles out on a rainy day! Watch this space for a confirmation.

JAMBOREE TO ROCK THE PARK: Sat. Aug. 27th at 4 pm

2011-08-18T20:59:00.003-04:00

Join us for a picnic in the park to celebrate the completion of our renovations. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy some live music by Stacy Labriola, Al Hemberger, The Lonely, Laminated Menu and Louie. Suggested donation: $20 per family. Cookbooks and tote bags also on sale: as well as lemonade touted by the most enthusiastic bunch of 6 year olds this side of the Hudson. All proceeds support the Tots Park. Stay tuned to this space for rain location... RSVP on Facebook.

See you at the park!

IT IS ACCOMPLISHED!!!

2011-07-16T14:15:00.003-04:00

All thanks to our hard working volunteers: Mark Hall, Bonny Carmicino, Tyler Mell, Kathryn O'Hara, Darren Critz, Barton Chew, Mike and Robbi Martin, Chris Sandlund, Justin Edelson, Jay Philippi, Paul Mooney, Bo Bell, Lisa Sabin, Seth Gallagher and Dinesh Kapoor

Thanks to these volunteers for providing food/drink: Katy Cox, Silvia Gaugler, Cecily Hall, Shannon Keegan, Eileen Caulfield, Robbi Smith, Beth Edelson and Eugenie Milroy

Thanks to Rajay Bagaria for being the force behind the project. Thanks to our generous donors including: Mike and Karen Speller, Cold Spring Lions Club and Ken Kearney.

Thanks to the Village of Cold Spring and the Highway Department for their help with this project. Big shout out to Mary Saari, Seth Gallagher, Ed Trimble, Charlie, Russ and Robert.

Thanks to Robert Pettinelli Junior and Senior for supervising and directing the build. Need a playground, call Miracle Recreation!

Thanks to Kathleen Foley, Eugenie Milroy, Beth Edelson, Robbi Smith, Megan Philippi and Eileen Caulfield for working on this project, including enormous fundraising efforts since 2008.

Please note: the park is closed until Monday, July 18th to give the concrete under the structure a chance to dry. Please do not let kids enter for their own safety. Thanks!

NEW MULCH FOR THE PARK!

2011-07-14T14:23:00.001-04:00

New mulch delivered to the Park today. Come to our community build this Saturday, July 16th from 8 am onwards to help spread it. Thanks to Mayor Seth Gallagher and the Highway Depratment for their help with this project!

Please note the park is CLOSED until Sunday, July 17th for construction.

Thanks!

PARK CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION

2011-07-10T15:23:00.002-04:00

The Tots Park will be closed from Friday July, 15th to Sunday July,17th while we remove the old play structure and install the new one. Please do not allow your kids into any area of the park during this time for their safety. Thanks! Come try the new equipment starting July 17th!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

2011-06-27T21:04:00.002-04:00

This is it folks: the final phase of our project started with this blog back in 2008. It all comes together on JULY 16th when we install our new play structure (see post below) at the park. We need all you handy moms and dads out there to come help. All levels of expertise (or lack of it!) will be put to good use! If you are out of town or otherwise occupied that day and would still like to help make a donation here and put Cold Spring Tots Park as the fund name. Or email totspark@yahoo.com to donate snacks/drinks for the volunteers. Hope to see you on the 16th. Local kids will thank you for years to come!

New Playscape coming soon to the Tots Park!

2011-06-09T08:24:00.003-04:00

Goodbye Scary Bridge! Hello new, safe, ADA compliant playscape... Thanks to Garrison resident Rajay Bagaria, a new playscape may soon be installed at the Tots Park. Rajay secured us a significant discount on the new structure. Miracle Recreation custom designed the new playscape to mimic what we currently have while eliminating the safety hazards of the bridge and stairs. The Friends of the Tots Park has almost enough funds to make it happen but we need close to $2000 to reach our goal. Will you help secure the future of the Tots Park?
Make a secure online donation by clicking here and put Cold Spring Tots Park as the fund name. Questions or comments? Email: totspark@yahoo.com

NEW SAND AT THE PARK

2011-05-01T20:21:00.005-04:00

Four hours of hard labor from 19 families and two dump truck loads of sand have been moved into the sandbox. The mulch is fluffed and trash/leaves picked up. Thank you to our volunteers: new friends and old faithfuls who come through for the Tots Park every year...
Thanks to these volunteer families: Pace, Edelson, Foley/Hedlund, Gaugler, Mooney/Caulfield, Straus, Pouthier,Hutchinson/Cohen, McCoy, Ambrose/Meeropol, Corio, Sullivan, Leva, Philippi, Kapoor, Buslovich, Schadt, O'Sullivan and Butler/Meisner. Also thanks to Fran for coming out to help and Nate Lyons for making a delivery on a Sunday. We could not have done it without you!

See all the pictures on Facebook.

NEW SAND IN TIME FOR SPRING SPRUCE UP SUNDAY, MAY 1st

2011-04-27T21:57:00.003-04:00

We're getting new sand!!! Please bear with us as we change out the sand and warn your kids about a deeper-than-they're-used to sandbox for the next couple of days. Thanks to the Village of Cold Spring, Highway Department and Mayor Seth Gallagher for making this possible!

Part of the cost will be borne by the Friends of the Tots Park, so if you are thrilled to have clean sand for your kids to play in (and eat!) make a donation by clicking on the Community Foundation link to the left of the blog.

A special shout out to Nate Lyons of Harold Lyons and Sons for providing the sand at cost price and giving us free delivery.
Thank him when you see him and support his local business!

Hope to see you all at our Spring Spruce Up on Sunday, May 1st from 10 am to 1 pm. Stop by with your rake/shovel/pitch fork and help fluff the mulch and pick up trash.

TOTS PARK HALLOWEEN COSTUME SWAP

2010-09-20T14:05:00.002-04:00

Saturday, Oct. 2nd
10 am to 12 noon
at the Tots Park

Tired of spending money on costumes every year?
Tots Park to The Rescue!
Bring your old costumes to the park and swap them out for gently used new favorites for only $5.
All proceeds benefit the Cold Spring Tots Park.

COOKBOOKS ARE HERE!!!

2010-09-18T14:39:00.002-04:00

Hot off the press! The Tots Park Cookbook is now on sale at the Country Goose for $15: Family friendly, healthy, quick n'easy recipes from your friends and neighbors!
This cookbook is the labor of love of Eileen Caulfield, along with the genius graphic design of Christine Caballero.
Thanks to all our contributors and to Leonora Burton of the Country Goose for hosting a launch party on Oct. 9th from 4-6pm. Contributors are invited to bring samples of their recipes for folks to taste!

Email totspark@yahoo.com to reserve your copy!
Consider a Tots Park tote bag ($10) and a cookbook for the perfect holiday gift this year!

TOTS PARK IN THE NEWS

2010-09-01T20:14:00.003-04:00

Thanks to all especially Stacy Labriola and Al Hemberger for making the Jamboree a grand success. We raised almost $1000.
Special thanks to the musicians: Motherlode Trio, Tiki Daddy, Nick Poholchuk, John Teagle, Art Labriola and the one and only Dar Williams for rocking the park. Thanks to all the families who came out to support the park!

Here is a great story published on Philipstown.info:

TOTS PARK JAMBOREE 2010

2010-07-14T14:32:00.003-04:00

Mark your calendars for Tots Park Jamboree 2010:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28th 4-7pm at the Tots Park

Featuring the musical talents of Stacy Labriola, Al Hemberger and friends.
Suggested donation: $20 per family. All proceeds benefit the Tots Park.

Don't miss it! Its a great end-of-summer party! Bring a picnic blanket and chill out at the park!

Rain location: Butterfield Library

March for the Park in the July 4th parade

2010-06-13T15:52:00.002-04:00

Sunday July 4th

Wear your Tots Park T-shirt and march with the Friends of the Tots Park in Cold Spring's Community Day parade down Main St. to the waterfront.
Decorate your strollers/wagons !
Bring a flag to wave...
Contact totspark@yahoo.com if you need a T-shirt.

Line up at Chestnut Ridge off Route 9D starting at 1:30pm. Parade steps off at 2pm.

Hope to see you there!

SPRING SPRUCE-UP: Sunday, May 2nd

2010-04-13T20:27:00.002-04:00

Calling all parents to help spruce up the park for the season.
Sun. May 2nd from 9am to 1pm.

Bring rakes/brooms/gloves and/or a healthy (nut free) snack to share.
We will fluff the mulch, rake the leaves, turn over the sand and discard any worn/broken toys.

A great opportunity to meet other young families in town!
Email totspark@yahoo.com if you can help/donate snacks.

Tots Park Cookbook

2010-01-26T08:55:00.002-05:00

Please help raise money for the Tots Park by e-mailing your best "Child-friendly" recipes, so that they can be included in a Collective Family Cookbook. The recipes should be on the healthy side, reasonably quick to put together, and something that your child likes to eat. Please make note in the email as to whether the recipe is considered a snack, breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. Feel free to email as many great recipes as you would like, and we will include as many as we can in the book.

If the recipe is not your own creation, please cite the source of the recipe.

*We also plan on including helpful hints regarding eating w/ children: keeping a child's interest on his/her plate, ways to make the table more fun to be at, positive parenting techniques for picky eaters, etc. - so please email any helpful advice, or pearls of wisdom that you'd like to share in terms of making family dining more enjoyable for the whole family.

Please send all recipes/helpful tips including your full name so that we can contact you with any questions to- Eileen Caulfield at magdaemc@optonline.net no later than March 1st. We will send back an email confirming that we have received your info.

Cup-o-ccino at the Tots Park

2009-11-09T15:48:00.000-05:00

Good news!
Cup-o-ccino will deliver coffee and other goodies to the park for a $10 minimum. So shout out to the other java seekers when you're at the park (after 3pm) and rack up a $10 bill for a hot cup of joe delivered to your park bench!

Put Cup-o-ccino on your speed dial: 845-8095574

This community service brought to you by the Friends of the Tots Park and your friendly neighborhood coffee shop Cup-o-ccino.

HALLOWEEN COSTUME SWAP:until Sat. Oct.31st

2009-09-29T15:24:00.006-04:00

It's that time of year again...get your kid a costume and help support the park while the kids enjoy some playtime at their favorite park. Great gently used costumes available for $5. Tots Park Tote Bags also on sale for $10.
All proceeds benefit the park. Email Karen at totspark@yahoo.com to arrange to meet at the park to swap/buy/donate costumes.

THIS PARK IS YOUR PARK BY AL HEMBERGER

2009-09-19T21:21:00.000-04:00

This park is your park | F |
This park is my park | C |
From the sandy sand box | G |
To the lovely tree bark | C |
From the slide and the swingset | F |
To the bouncing, rocking thingies | C |
This park was made for you and me | G | C |

Well I've been to Central Park
In New York City
It's really big there
And it's really pretty
But here at The Tot's Park
Mom can always find me
This park was made for you and me

Chorus

There's lots of toys here
For girls and boys here
Lotsa things to ride on
Even things to climb on
Trees all around it
I'm so glad we found it
This park was made for you and me

Chorus

JAMBOREE ROCKS THE PARK!

2009-09-19T21:13:00.003-04:00

Thanks one and all for coming out to support the park! We raised almost $1500 and what a fun way to do it!!! Special thanks to Stacy Labriola, Al Hemberger, Louie Miranda, Jen Clapp, John Teagle and all the generous talented musicians for donating their time and talent today. Thanks to Maggie Benmour for taking her wonderful pictures. Thanks also to all those who baked: Kathryn O'Hara, Carolyn Llewellyn, Heather Schroder, Eileen Caulfield, Carla Peters, Alex Belniak, Laura Danilov, Eugenie Milroy and Beth Edelson. Your yummy treats were enjoyed by all and really boosted the fundraising!
The amazing tote bags and banner you saw today were designed by the awesome Christine Caballero who is always ready to lend a hand...thanks Christine!
Thanks also go out to the two tireless Sara/h's: Sara Walsh and Sarah Carnevale for volunteering with sales and to Katie Brennan for lending a hand with set up and to all the able bodied dads who helped with the clean-up operations: we thank you all!!!

Once again our community has outdone itself! Bravo Philipstown and hooray for the Tots Park Jamboree!!!

TOTS PARK JAMBOREE: Saturday September 19th

2009-08-07T20:47:00.006-04:00

Save the date for the Tots Park Jamboree!!!

Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy some family-friendly live music from 4 pm onwards.
Our stellar line-up of local talent includes Stacy Labriola, Al Hemberger, Jen Clapp and Louie Miranda. (Click on the musician's name to find out more about them)

Last year's Jamboree raised over $2000 thanks to your generous contributions. We're counting on your support again this year (suggested donation:$20/family) in an aim to replace the large climbing structure that is almost 20 years old. Anyone interested in volunteering at this event please email totspark@yahoo.com
See you at the park!

TOTS PARK SUPPORT GOES INTERNATIONAL

2009-07-27T15:37:00.003-04:00

Check out our newest supporters from India and London!

MARCH FOR THE PARK AT THE JULY 4th PARADE

2009-06-28T14:45:00.004-04:00

Saturday July 4th is Cold Spring Quadracentennial Community Day. Come show your community spirit by marching with the Friends of the Tots Park Group in the parade.
The parade will start at 2pm on Chestnut Street behind Chestnut Ridge Apartments and will continue north on Route 9D to the intersection of Main Street and then head west on Main Street.
Assemble at 1:30 at Chestnut Ridge and wear your Tots Park T-shirt. If you still need to buy one email Karen at totspark@yahoo.com
See you at the parade!

For more details on the July 4th celebration visit the village website

Thanks to all who came out to march for the park!

JUDY DAVIS MEMORIAL: POTLUCK AT THE PARK: Sat. June 27th at 4pm

2009-06-24T21:43:00.004-04:00

Saturday is going to be a beautiful day! Please join us for a picnic to celebrate the new bouncers that were installed thanks to donations from the friends and family of Judy Davis (mother of Katy Cox and grandmother of Judine, Tots Park kid). We will lay a stone in Judy's memory in our new little garden in the southwest corner of the park. Special thanks to expert gardener Kory Riesterer for designing the plantings and working hard through all this rain to get the garden ready.
Special thanks also go out to Dan Marks and Keri Powell for spearheading the effort to raise the money for the bouncers in honor of Judy Davis.
See you at the park on Saturday!

OUR MAKEOVER

2009-05-09T15:20:00.005-04:00

The new equipment is in place and the kids are loving it!!!
The Motorcycle bouncer and Butterfly bouncer were made possible by funds gifted in memory of Judy Davis.
Stop by the park and check it out...
Many thanks to all our donors and volunteers who made this $14,000 project a reality.
With our eyes set on Phase 3...see you at the park!

OUR NEW LOGO

2009-05-05T19:53:00.004-04:00

Thanks to Tots Park parent Christine Caballero, the Tots Park has a brand spankin' new logo to go with the new play equipment. Talent runs in the family: come hear Christine's partner, poet Jeffrey McDaniel, at the first Sunset Reading of the summer this Sunday, May 10, 4 pm, at the Chapel of Our Lady. Celebrate Mothers Day with poetry, wine, cheese, and friends.

TOTS PARK COMMUNITY BUILD A GRAND SUCCESS!!!

2009-05-02T22:45:00.008-04:00

The showers on Friday had all of us frantically checking weather.com, but the weather Gods smiled on us and we were able to proceed with a fantastic build on Saturday, May 2nd. Several skilled Tots Park parents, other community members as well as many local construction contractors showed up bright and early to help with the build. The icing on the cake was having our new Mayor Seth Gallagher working hands on, alongside Trustee Ralph Falloon and Building Inspector James Hartford. Rica Watkins, who just moved here from Georgia, said," It's wonderful to see a community come together for such a great cause." Despite a generous selection of donated snacks, The Friends of the Tots Park had a hard time getting the work horse volunteers to take a break...they worked through the day and finished up in record time.

Ed Trimble and the highway crew had already turned over the sand in the sand box and refinished the walkway.
Our volunteers assembled the new equipment and mixed and poured in the concrete to install it. Everybody pitched in the aerate the mulch and pull weeds...and voila!!! A brand new face for the much loved gathering spot, just in time for the prime outdoor play season!!! The kids watching over the fence could hardly contain their excitement when they saw a new digger, rock climbing tunnel and seesaw go in. They couldn't wait to try out the new Trike path and playhouse and had animated conversations about their favorite new toys at the park. The Friends of the Tots Park would like to thank our hardworking build volunteers and all the people who cooked/bought food for the volunteers. Thanks also go out to all the donors who helped us raise the $14,000 to purchase the new equipment for the village of Cold Spring.
We are always amazed at the generosity and involvement of our little community and thank each one of our donors, volunteers and well wishers from the bottom of our hearts. It's probably best expressed by the kids: so stop by the park sometime and let the kids' laughter and screams of delight over the new equipment speak for itself. THANK YOU PHILIPSTOWN, FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN!

Thanks to our Build Volunteers:
Jessica Arguello
John Arguello
Tim Brennan
Ben Carmicino
Barton Chew
Joel Connybear
Justin Edelson
Dan Ferreira
Aaron Freimark
Seth Gallagher
Andrew Hall
James Hartford
Bob Hayes
John Hedlund
John Hutchison
Jeff Keegan
Dan Marks
Kathryn O'Hara
Susan Peehl
John Peters
John Plummer
Paul Mooney
Jane Rapa
John Ricci
Michael Robinson
Chris Sandlund
Walter Sassano
Joni Schneck
Jeff Toland
Tara Vamos
John Van Tassel
David Watkins
Rica Watkins

We could not have done it without you!!!

COMMUNITY BUILD: SATURDAY MAY 2nd

2009-04-20T20:35:00.003-04:00

TOTS PARK CLOSED FROM APRIL 29th to MAY 5th

We are happy to announce that our new equipment (Phase 1 & 2) will finally be installed on May 2nd. We are so close to making this dream a reality...but we need your help to make it happen!! Due to the construction, the Tots Park will be completely closed from Wednesday, April 29th to Tuesday May 5th. Please respect the fencing and do spread the word. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and hope you will all enjoy the new and improved park from May 6th onwards. Stay tuned to this blog for updates.

On the day of the community build, Saturday May 2nd, we need volunteers who either have some level of construction skills or are 'handy' to assemble and install the equipment (the play equipment company will provide a supervisor and the village highway department will do all the digging and concrete pouring). If you have skills and are available to help for any length of time between 8am and 4pm on Saturday, May 2nd please email totspark@yahoo.com to sign up for the build. Your RSVP is important so we know how many hard-working souls to feed that day! Also, please note that for their safety, no children will be permitted on site during the build.

We are very grateful to Ed Trimble and the highway department for their assistance on this project. The highway crew is also responsible for crafting the beautiful new benches you will see at the park soon. Our deepest thanks to former mayor Anthony Philips for his advance work to make the benches and installation possible and to mayor Seth Gallagher for seeing the project through.

And now over to you, the Friends of The Tots Park. This park was funded and built by parents and other community volunteers, and we hope we can count on you to help us make it even better on May 2nd and beyond!

Phase 1-Ready To Order!

2008-11-14T20:55:00.011-05:00

Thanks to the amazing generosity of our community, we are happy to announce that we now have sufficient funds to go ahead and place the order for Phase 1 of our project.
See the pictures above for an idea of what our new rock tunnel, bouncers, seesaw and digger will look like.

Also, having received overwhelming feedback that most parents would like the sandbox to stay as is, we have revised the plan for Phase 2 to include a Toddlertown Playhouse, Drive Thru' and Trike Path that will complement our existing sandbox.
Of course, this means we will need to change out the sand and maintain the sandbox regularly but we know we can count on volunteer parents for ongoing help with that!

(click on the plan to enlarge)

We hope to place our order before the end of the year (to avoid a price increase) and to schedule the installation for early Spring 2009. This will be a supervised community build and we will ask for volunteer parents to help with the installation.
The village has also offered the help of the Highway Dept. workers for our project.

We currently have close to $14,000 in available funds. Phase 1 and Phase 2 as revised will totally cost us almost $13,000. So we continue to ask for donations from the community in cash or kind (We'll need sand and cement for the project), of course, with our sights set on Phase 3 in the near future. You can make a secure online donation or mail a check to the Community Foundation of Dutchess County...( click on this link to go straight to the donation page) Please specify Cold Spring Tots Park as the Fund Name.

We're excited to be so close to an improved Tots Park! None of this would be possible without your help and support and we thank each one of you for being so involved in this project.

As always we welcome your feedback on this blog or email : totspark@yahoo.com

TOTS PARK HALLOWEEN COSTUME SWAP: OCT. 4th

2008-09-29T10:04:00.002-04:00

So its that time of year again: time to go spend ridiculous amounts of money on a costume that your child will most likely wear once or twice or outgrow within a year. Tots Park to the Rescue!
Announcing the first ever Halloween Costume Swap!
Stop by the Tots Park between 10am and noon on Oct. 4th and pick out a costume for $5.
Email totspark@yahoo.com to donate your old costumes.
All proceeds benefit the park.

Many thanks to Jane Rapa for the brilliant idea!

Hudson Beach Glass donates to Arts For the Park

2008-09-26T14:04:00.004-04:00

Many Thanks to John and Wendy Gilvey of Hudson Beach Glass in Beacon for donating this beautiful bowl. Its up for auction along with several other pieces of art (scroll down to see older posts) at Arts For the Park: Sunday, Sept. 28th at 3pm at the Presbyterian Church. Come out to enjoy a beautiful chamber music concert while supporting the park. See you Sunday!

Morphicism donates to Arts For The Park

2008-09-20T14:12:00.003-04:00

Many thanks to Jay Palefsky of Morphicism in Beacon for his generous donation of the piece entitled "Cold Spring,NY"
(Click on the image to enlarge)

This piece along with others (scroll down to see older posts) are up for auction and currently on display at The Butterfield Library. Bidding is now open! Final bids will be taken at the Arts For The Park event on Sept. 28th at 3pm at the First Presbyterain Church on Academy Street.

See older posts for details on the wonderful Chamber Music Concert we have in store for you at Arts For The Park!
Come out to support your park. Childcare provided!

Arts For The Park: Chamber Music Concert and Art Auction

2008-09-10T10:04:00.004-04:00

Sunday, Sept. 28th, 3 pm , First Presbyterian Church Academy St. Cold Spring
Admission:$10, Childcare provided
A perfect way to enjoy some classical music and art to support your favorite park.

We are excited to present a wonderful chamber music concert featuring the musical talents of several local performers:
Tom McCoy:Piano
Rachel Evans, Pam Read and Linda Kleinhenz: violin
Cynthia Ligenza: violin and viola
Abby Luby and Carolyn Llewellyn: cello
Lynn Brown: flute

The concert features an array of ensembles that include movements of Piano Trios by Clara Schumann and Brahms, a String Trio by Beethoven, a movement of Schubert's cello quintet, a Biber violin sonata, a Mozart Flute Quartet and a String Quartet by Haydn.

We thank all the performers for donating their time and talent to our cause.

Hope you have been by the Butterfield Library to check out the artwork up for auction. Artwork will be on display until Saturday,September 27th. You can start bidding for your favorites now.

Email:totspark@yahoo.com with any questions.

Sneak Peek At the Artwork up for Auction

2008-08-29T15:16:00.008-04:00

These are some of the beautiful pieces of art that will be up for auction at Arts For The Park, our fund-raising concert and silent auction on Sept. 28th at 3pm at The First Presbyterian Church on Academy Street in Cold Spring.
From top to bottom:
"Shadow" by Melissa McGill, "Bethpage Black Hole #4" by Adam Smith, "Musical Pet" and "Simon and Harry" by Joan Gillman Smith, " Memory One" ,"Taiga" and "Desire One" by Roman Danilov, "Fox Trot", "Still Life With Carrots" and "Still Life with Carpet" by Joan Gillman Smith," River That Flows Both Ways" by Nancy Bauch.
For details on each piece and to learn more about the artists, please visit the Butterfield Library where artwork will be on display through the month of September. You can even start placing bids on your favorite pieces.
We thank our artists for their generous donations!

Cold Spring Village Board Resolution

2008-08-27T21:45:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Mayor Phillips and the Board of Trustees, who passed the following resolution in support of the Friends of the Tots Park this week:

Resolution : Cold Spring Tiny Tots Park Improvement Initiative

Because the Cold Spring Tiny Tots Park (the “Tots Park”) at McConville Park is a valued community resource and beloved gathering spot where young children can play safely together in an ideal outdoor setting, and

Because the Tots Park exists thanks to exemplary ongoing efforts of numerous individuals and community groups working together in the spirit of partnership and volunteerism, and

Because the Village of Cold Spring and its Recreation Commission commit annual resources to the general and ongoing maintenance of the Tots Park, and

Because the play structures at the Tots Park date from 1990-1991 and are showing significant signs of wear, and

Because this winter, two spring-riders and the wooden “boat” structure in the sandpit had to be removed due to major deterioration, and

Because the Friends of the Tots Park, a volunteer group of parents and other interested community members who support the Tots Park, have begun an initiative to improve the playground’s deteriorating condition,

Be it resolved:

That the Cold Spring Village Board of Trustees supports the initiative of the Friends of the Tots Park to replace the play structures and improve the condition of the Tots Park for the enjoyment of all.

Arts For The Park

2008-08-13T09:58:00.006-04:00

Announcing our next fund-raising event:
A Chamber Music Concert and Silent Auction of local art to benefit the Cold Spring Tots Park

First Presbyterian Church of Cold Spring
Sunday, Sept. 28th at 3pm
Childcare provided
Suggested admission: $10/head

Art on display at The Butterfield Library until the day of the event

Featured musicians:Lynn Brown, Pam Eagan, Rachel Evans, Cynthia Ligenza, Carolyn Llewellyn, Abby Luby, Tom McCoy
Featured artists: Melissa McGill, Roman Danilov, Lisa Light, Nancy Bauch, Joan Gillman Smith, Adam Smith, Jay Palefsky, John Gilvey, Margaret Benmour, Eugenie Milroy

Stay tuned for details!

Many thanks for all the generous pledges in that are pouring in to our new fund with CFDC. Thanks to all the money we have raised so far we were able to go ahead and place the order for phase 1 of our project. If you would like to make a donation click here
Don't forget to put Cold Spring Tots Park as the fund name or in the memo line of your check.

2008-08-02T14:03:00.002-04:00

We still have a few Tots park T-shirts for sale... grab yours before we run out.
Adult and kid T-shirts are now available for sale at The Country Goose and kid T-shirts also available at Born Lucky.
Many thanks to Leonora Burton and Kristin Daliso for helping us with sales. As always, all proceeds benefit the Tots Park.

Tots Park Jamboree a grand success!

2008-07-28T14:12:00.005-04:00

Thank you one and all for coming out on Saturday to support our park at the Tots Park Jamboree.
We really had a good time thanks to the wonderful live music! We are so lucky to have such talented performers ready to donate their time to our cause. (For more info on any of our performers please check out their website links in the previous Jamboree posts)
Best of all we raised over $2000 at the Jamboree and we are slowly inching our way to our goal.
Click here to see the Jamboree write-up in the PCNR.
If you haven't already done so, you can make a secure online donation at www.cfdcny.org
Stay tuned to this blog for more info on the upcoming Chamber Music Concert and Silent Auction Sept. 28th at the First Presbyterian Church in Cold Spring.

MAKE A PLEDGE!

2008-07-25T14:08:00.004-04:00

We are really close to our goal for this summer, having received almost $4000 in pledges from so many wonderful parents.
We hope to complete our goal of $8000 tomorrow at the Jamboree. (For details on our fiscal sponsor or the Tots Park Jamboree read previous posts).
We are now ready to accept your tax-deductible donations. Either mail your check to the Foundation(see previous post) or if you want to make a donation online, here is the Community Foundation website where you can make a pledge.
Please indicate COLD SPRING TOTS PARK as the fund name on the online form and/or put it in the memo line of your check.
Thanks again for your generous support. With the money starting to come in now, we aim to complete phase 1 of our plan (replace broken bouncers, add seesaw and rock wall) by early fall.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF PUTNAM COUNTY

2008-07-24T14:10:00.004-04:00

Great news regarding the future of the Cold Spring Tots Park! Now
donors can make unrestricted tax-deductible contributions to ensure the
upkeep and improvement of this local gem. The Friends of the Tots Park
have established a charitable fund at Community Foundation of Dutchess
County , also now doing business as the Community
Foundation of Putnam County. As administrator of the fund, the
Community Foundation maintains all financial records and will furnish
donors with receipts for their contributions.

Donors may choose to specify that a donation is being made in honor of,
or in memory of, a special person. Acknowledgement of your gift, but
not the amount, will be sent to the individual or family you identify.
In addition, donors may be eligible for employer matching grants. If
so, your gift may be doubled or tripled, and some companies match gifts
made by retirees and/or spouses. If eligible, please complete and sign
your employer's matching gift form and send it with your donation.

Unrestricted donations to the Friends of the Cold Spring Tots Park Fund
are fully tax deductible charitable contributions and may be made
payable to the Community Foundation of Putnam County, with an
accompanying note to add the donation to the Friends of the Cold Spring
Tots Park Fund. Please send checks to the Community Foundation at
80 Washington Street, Suite 201, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Donations by
credit card (Visa or MasterCard) may also be made online through a
secure web site or by calling the Community Foundation
during regular business hours at 845-452-3077. Thank you for supporting
the Cold Spring Tots Park!

JAMBOREE UPDATE!

2008-07-22T15:33:00.005-04:00

We're counting down the days to our big fundraiser event at the Cold Spring Tots Park: the Tots Park Jamboree: Sat. 7/26 at 4pm.
Please enter from the Haldane street entrance on the south of McConville Park. Don't forget your blanket/chairs and of course your picnic!

We now have an alternate location in the event of inclement weather: the Butterfield Library on Morris Avenue. For now, the forecast is bright and sunny and we're hoping it stays that way, so we can picnic at the park....but if we have a rain shower that day please check this blog to confirm the location of the Jamboree. Rain or shine, we'll be jammin'!!! Many thanks to Gillian Thorpe and the staff at the library for offering us the space as a rain location.

We're also excited to have a very generous donation from artist and new resident of Cold Spring, Roman Danilov. The paintings you see here are just a few of his beautiful works that will be up for auction at our next event coming up in September. Watch this space for details on that soon... In the meanwhile check out Roman's website http://cuspgallery.com/ You can meet the artist and view some of his works at the Jamboree.

See you all at the Jamboree!

TOTS PARK JAMBOREE: JULY 26th

2008-06-26T09:05:00.007-04:00

In case you haven't seen the posters up around town, the first ever Tots Park Jamboree is coming up:Saturday, July 26th at 4pm.
Bring the whole family, a blanket and a picnic! Chill out in the shade at the park and enjoy some live music. We have an all-star line-up who will play their own compositions as well as some kiddie favorites. Our talented performers include: The Motherlode Trio, Jen Clapp, Louie Miranda, Kathleen Pemble and Dana Edelman.

This event promises to be fun for the whole family and is the perfect way to enjoy a lazy summer afternoon at your kids' favoritre park.
Suggested donation: $20/family. All proceeds benefit the Tots Park. T-shirts and lemonade also on sale.

The T-Shirts are here!!!

2008-06-17T14:30:00.010-04:00

New Tots Park T-shirts for sale!
(click on any image to enlarge)
As always proceeds benefit the park and you and your kids get to show off your support.
Kids sizes XS (2-4)/S(4-6)/M(6-8):$15
colors:pink/red/green/blue/violet/natural

Adults T-shirts: Womens/Mens:$20
2 designs:Push-ups/Swingers: assorted colors/sizes

T-shirts are on sale at Payning by Caryn at 72 Main St or
Email:totspark@yahoo.com to place your order
Specify size and color preference.

TREASURE HUNT: MAY 17th

2008-05-01T20:42:00.007-04:00

On Saturday, May 17th the Chamber of Commerce is holding a TREASURE HUNT:a village wide yard sale in Cold Spring. The Friends of the Tots Park will have a table at the Tots park with a lemonade stand,baked goods/snacks and tag sale items. All proceeds benefit the park. It will also be an opportunity to share our plans with more people and get folks to pledge their support to the park!

What can you do to help?

1) Volunteer on May 17 at the Tots Park table: help with sales.

2) Donate items to be sold: lemonade/drinks, fruit,snacks,baked goods,etc.

3) Spread the word! Tell all your friends about this event.

4) Stop by the Tots Park and shop on May 17th!

Email: totspark@yahoo.com to offer your help/donation or for details.

The Park Today

2008-04-24T15:00:00.005-04:00

The swings are well loved and used but the climbing structure and sandbox get mixed reactions from parents...What are your thoughts? Post your comments here. We need your feedback!!!

A Brief History of The Tots Park

2008-04-24T14:43:00.003-04:00

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.

A THREE PHASE PROJECT

2008-04-24T14:35:00.001-04:00

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $36,000

(See plan and schematic diagram in the next post)

PHASE ONE:

Replace broken bouncers with Butterfly and Motorbike bouncers
Add new Seesaw and Rock Climbing Wall

Estimated Cost: $ 6,000
Anticipated completion: Summer 2008

PHASE TWO:

Install new Fun Center designed for toddlers in current sandbox
Build new sand box in far right corner

Estimated Cost: $ 12,000
Anticipated completion: ?

PHASE THREE:

Remove old slide and bridge structure
Install new Steel Challenger play structure designed for preschoolers

Estimated Cost: $ 18,000
Anticipated completion: ?

Proposed equipment for Tots Park

2008-04-19T20:36:00.010-04:00

Here are the proposed site plan and equipment schematic for the Tots Park. We hope this blog will be used to share feedback and comments on these ideas!