Forsyth Park work nears completion
An overhaul of Forsyth Park is nearing competition with upcoming paving in the playground and tennis courts parking lots, according to Mayor Steve Noble.
Noble said in a press release issued Tuesday that paving is the final component of the project, which was funded by state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Paving preparations are being completed by the Kingston Department of Public Works and the parking lot paving and construction work will be done by Callanan Industries this week, weather permitting.
On the day of paving, the sections being paved will be closed and will be marked with cones and no parking signs.
The Forsyth Park Improvements project funding was awarded in Dec. 2014 for upgrades to the playground and tennis courts, which have already been completed, and paving of the parking lots and access road.
“This final component of the Forsyth Park project allows us the opportunity to make needed improvements to long-neglected informal parking areas of one of our most popular parks, and closes out a long-standing grant affording us future opportunities for funding through OPRHP that have been previously limited,” Noble said. “
“This new formal parking will be a far safer and clearer system for park users and will be much easier for us to maintain,” said Julie Noble, project manager and the city’s environmental education and sustainability coordinator.
Alderman Jeffrey Ventura-Morrell, D-Ward 1, said the improvements were necessary.
“Forsyth Park is one of our greatest assets in Uptown and I’d like to thank this administration and especially the personnel at DPW for all their work to make this happen,” Ventura-Morell said in the release.
Recreation Director Lindsey Timbrouck felt similarly.
“We’ve all been eager to see the Forsyth Park project be completed,” she said. “These improvements are much needed and will provide a more safe and user-friendly parking lot for all visitors.”
Funding for this project is from a New state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation grant totaled $304,354, with a $197,629 match from the city.