PARKS REPORT TOUTS SUCCESSES
The document also details goals that include upgrades for city parks and programs
Mayor Steve Noble’s administration issued a report detailing, among other things, what it calls 2017 successes of the Parks and Recreation Department.
The report also outlines this years’ goals for that department.
“Our mission is to create community through people, parks, and programs,” the report said. ”This is accomplished by developing, organizing and implementing a large variety of recreational, leisure and educational nature-based activities, programs and events that meet the needs of all age ranges and populations in the city of Kingston and our surrounding neighboring towns.”
The report said that activities and programs are available for individuals from pre-school to young adults and active older adults.
“These programs, activities and events are conducted in the City’s 11 beautiful parks, 3 community centers, 1 of only 4 Hudson River beach fronts, at
“Our mission is to create community through people, parks, and programs.” — Mayor Steve Noble’s administration report
the Andretta Pool; and at the Forsyth Nature Center facility,” the report said.
The Parks and Recreation Department staff is responsible for the maintenance of about 150 acres of park land, in addition to community centers.
The following is the Parks and Recreation Department stated list of accomplishments:
• More than 7,710 people
were served through registered programs, activities and events.
• There were more than 50,000 visits to the Forsyth Nature Center.
• 168 permits for park rentals were issued for family picnics, anniversaries and birthday parties.
• More than 485 youth ages 6 to 14-years-old participated in the Summer Parks Program, Junior Naturalist Program, tennis and swim lessons, and basketball camp.
• 149 adult sports teams, with 1,650 adults, participated
in women’s and men’s sports.
• 200 people participated in 4 bus trips to Broadway shows, Lake George, Mets baseball games and the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
• 103 volunteers were recruited to assist the department in providing programs and services in youth basketball, flag football, swim lessons, and after-school mentoring programs.
The Parks and Recreation Department also spearheaded a number of special
events including Kingston Earth Fair & Expo; the “Love Your Parks” community bike ride; the 13th annual Kingston Kayak Festival; the Senior Picnic at Rotary Park; 49th Annual Children’s Day Parade; the 15th annual Forsyth Nature Center Fall Festival.
Kingston was also host to the 2017 Northeast Gold Cup BMX event at the Kingston Point Park BMX track in September, which drew 1,750 riders, ages 2 to 61 years old, and about 5,000 visitors from 11 states as well as the provinces of
Ontario & Ottawa, the report said.
The report also sets this years’ goals for the department as:
• Complete development of the Department brochure to be available online and in Spanish for the public.
• Expand our community program offerings with new initiatives to include a young adult (21-35 age range) Adventure Club that will explore the Hudson Valley.
• Coordinate a community 5k walk/run with the proceeds to be donated to
veterans.
• Complete the re-grading of the Block Park and Kingston Point Park softball fields.
• Replace the roof and the pool filter at the Andretta pool.
• Launch a “park photo contest,” in which submitted photos of park and recreational facilities can be viewed on the city’s website and Facebook page.
• Identify funding sources to give the Andy Murphy Midtown Neighborhood Center an interior facelift.