SUMMER FUN
City officials announce return of ‘Summer Square’ program
TROY, N.Y. » Mayor Patrick Madden and the RensCo Pandemic Response Committee revealed the return of “Summer Square” to downtown Troy during the months of July, August, and September.
The ‘Summer Square’ program will activate public streets, parks, alleyways, and parking spaces for outdoor dining, shopping, and community programming in downtown Troy and beyond.
The effort is an initiative of the RensCo Pandemic Response Committee, a regional collaborative co- chaired by the City of Troy, Downtown Troy Business Improvement District, and Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Summer Square 2020 will include open-air public dining areas for takeout and picnicking, outdoor dining at local restaurants and bars, and a series of diverse programs including music, lectures, dance, poetry, and more.
This rededication of public spaces for responsible use by businesses and the public in accordance with COVID-19 safety and health guidelines will allow Troy’s downtown and neighborhoods to safely reopen and boost consumer confidence within the city.
Local small businesses have struggled throughout the pandemic. Social distancing guidelines and occupancy limitations make it very difficult for restaurants and brick and mortar retail stores to operate at enough capacity to remain financially viable.
The RensCo Pandemic Response Committee has been working with a wide coalition of partners to rededicate public streets and spaces for business use.
Suspension of on- street metered parking in downtown Troy will con
tinue through the end of August, city officials noted.
Activities associated with ‘Summer Square’ are funded with support from the Troy Local Development Cooperation (TLDC) and the Troy Capital Resource Corporation (CRC).
Additional funding is being provided by the Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund and the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. Additional support and donations were provided by Passonno Paint, and Hatchet Hardware (please note: the city of Troy does not endorse commercial products, services, or companies).
“Local businesses and restaurants have taken a significant hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Activities and opportunities associated with Summer Square will help assist small businesses who have reopened their doors to weather this difficult period with expanded outdoor seating and exciting programs to bring visitors back to the Collar City while observing health guidelines to ensure a safe, responsible reopening,” Madden noted.
“We thank the countless partners involved in making Summer Square 2020 a reality, including the Arts Center of the Capital Region and TAP, Inc., and look forward to supporting our businesses and restaurants throughout the summer season,” Madden added.
“Downtown Troy is open for business,” Executive Director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District Katie Hammonsaid.
“It has been a very difficult few months as businesses struggled to survive through pause. They are ready to open their doors, but this is just the beginning of building back stronger in safe and creative ways. We have appreciated working with our partners to build programs that support local businesses as they rebuild for a stronger future,” Hammon added.
“Summer Square will provide welcome relief to the Troy restaurants and storefronts that have faced significant challenges over the past few months,” Kate Manley, president of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, explained.
“Right now, we know consumers are looking for space. By repurposing more of the outdoor, public areas throughout Troy, this initiative will create a safe, welcoming environment that will allow for our local businesses to prosper,” Manley noted.
“Troy’s Capital Resource Corporation and Local Development Corporation have provided funding and management to support Troy’s businesses as they navigate through uncertain times,” Steven Strichman, executive director of the TLDC and CRC, commented.
“Troy has always provided a welcome outdoor environment for shoppers, and this effort will help restore some normalcy to our merchants and resident’s daily lives,” Strichman added.
“Our foundation is pleased to join with the Capital Region COVID-19 Community Response Fund to support the Summer Square program in the Collar City. The Unity House Ambassadors will help create a safe and welcoming environment during Troy’s Summer Square, and we’re excited to partner with the City and RensCo Pandemic Response Committee to support their work,” Leslie Cheu, executive director of the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, stated.
Included programs for Summer Square:
• Public Commons| Monument Square andSage Park
• Public Commons| Monument Square andSage Park
One can enjoy takeout in the public commons with seating available at Monument Square and picnicking spaces at Sage Park or Riverfront Park, all offered in a physically distanced format. Familial groups can picnic or bring takeout meals to enjoy eating in the open-air together with safe distance from others.
Public art adorns the spaces creating a vibrant environment to dine, and the Monument Square Site will offer tables and chairs cleaned and maintained by Unity House Ambassadors. Restrooms will be available during the monument square public commons hours at The Arts Center of the Capital Region.
Public commons hours of operation for Monument Square and Sage Park encompass Wednesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Summer Square LIVE!: Public programming will begin in mid-July with live music, lectures, dance, poetry, and more. A full schedule is slated to be released soon with socially distanced activities offered Wednesdays through Saturdays in downtown Troy. Summer Square LIVE is a collaboration with the Troy Cultural Alliance, Arts Center of the Capital Region, Downtown Troy BID and Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Visit www. facebook. com/ troysummersquare for more information as the program takes shape. Activities will be limited to 50 persons with socially distanced markers ensuring the safety of attendees
Pedestrian Walk | Public Commons Expansion:
Summer Square wouldn’t be complete without a pedestrian takeover with walkways and expanded dining in the street! 2nd Street between State St. and River St. and Broadway between 3rd Street and River will transform into a pedestrian walk on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the summer.
Your favorite local restaurants have secured permits to expand their outdoor dining on these nights for street dining. Summer Square organizers anticipate the closed streets will help create a public commons atmosphere with public art walking paths in the street.
Additional efforts to supports small businesses are being made as well.
The city is expanding on previously- announced efforts designed to support brick and mortar retail stores, restaurants, breweries, and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Outdoor Dining Many restaurants and bars are offering outdoor seating throughout the city of Troy with special permits approving businesses the use of adjacent parking spaces, streets, and alleyways outside their establishments.
Guidelines for outdoor dining were created in a partnership with the city of Troy, TAP Inc. and the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District to assist businesses in creating spaces with public health and the well-being of employees and the community in mind. By preemptively designing table layouts and locations within specific areas, organizers are encouraging adherence with the State’s social distancing guidelines while providing a safe and enjoyable way for businesses to reopen.
The city of Troy will continue processing requests from retail locations and restaurants for the occupation of parking spaces or other public space contiguous with their establishment.
Applicants are expected to submit a Special Events Permit and provide additional documentation as requested. For more information, call Dylan Turek, city of Troy economic development coordinator, at Dylan. turek@troyny.gov or (518) 279-7412.
• Numbered Curbside Pickup Zones
Ordering takeout or quick pick-up from your favorite shops, restaurants, and bars? One can find the nearest curbside pickup zone to make your trip as quick as possible! People are encouraged to let the business know the number on the pickup zone where you are located so they can easily deliver your purchase right to your car. Specific spaces will be installed beginning in early July.
SARATOGASPRINGS, N.Y. » Saratoga Performing Arts Center and COESA are partnering to present a series of health and wellness events in the Saratoga Spa State Park.
These events, including Tai Chi and Guided Meditation classes, are part of a larger initiative to create opportunities for the community to safely gather, and to enrich the local state park as a destination for the healing arts.
“While the amphitheater is currently projected to remain dark all summer, we are delighted to announce the first of our in-person programs on the SPAC campus – and we are thrilled to be partnering with COESA again,” SPAC’s President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol said in a press release.
Also based in the Saratoga Spa State Park, COESA is a lifelong learning, wellbeing and leadership center designed to inspire, connect and catalyze change in those who seek to find balance, gain enlightenment, experience personal wellbeing, grow professionally and make a positive impact on the world.
This organization provided the impetus for the State of New York’s $ 4.3 million investment in the restoration of the historic Roosevelt II in the therapeutic setting of the Saratoga Spa State Park.
“COESA has intimately felt the impact to our local wellness practitioner base in light of world events,” COESA executive director Wendy Page added. “We’re thrilled to combine SPAC’s gorgeous facility and connection to the arts with COESA’s health and wellness programming to advance wellness in the Park. This partnership will aid our local practitioners and our community as we safely and mindfully move forward into our new normal.”
Wellness teachers and their students will be able to meet in person once again in a controlled, socially- distanced way.
The Tai Chi and Meditation classes, limited to a maximum of 25 participants, will be held on the SPAC grounds with socially distant marked spaces for each participant.
All attendees will enter through the Hall of Springs Gate and will be required to complete a health screening questionnaire.
In addition, guests are required to wear a face mask at all times until the classes begin and then immediately after the classes conclude.
Restrooms will be available for participants and will be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
The Tai Chi classes, instructed by Mark Tolstrup of the Tai Chi Center, will take place at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays during the month of July.
In this Beginner Introduction to Tai Chi course, participants will learn the basic postures, movements and breath work in addition to the first movements of the Yang style Tai Chi form. These techniques have many benefits for health and wellbeing including ffexibility, stress reduction and balance.
Pre- registration is required 24 hours in advance of the class. The cost for the series is $80. Participants can register online at: http:ffffwww.the-taichicenter.comffhome.html or email: markff the- taichicenter.com.
Dharma Meditation Classes, led by Pierre ffimmerman of One Roof Saratoga, will take place at 9 a.m. on Sundays from July 12 to Aug. 30.
Dharma Meditation includes inspirational topics that support emotional, cognitive, and ethical wishes for wellbeing. This is a sitting meditation for 25 minutes with a silent break allowing people to stretch, followed by a second sitting, introduced by a brief talk. A discussion on the topic and some insights and reffections about the nature and commonality of our basic humanity is shared by attendees. This meditation is open to beginners andffor those who have been meditating for awhile.
There is no cost to attend, but a $10 donation per class is suggested. Preregistration is required by Saturday at midnight in advance of each class. Participants can register via email to pzimmie2ff cloud.com.
For both class series, all proceeds will go directly to the practitioners.
Opening in 2020, COESA wellness experiences comprise singular and full- day classes and workshops, weekend retreats, business and leadership conferences, presented by local, national and globally- recognized speakers and practitioners in a welcoming environment. Programming, including the recent Rising Together COVID-19 online series, focuses on mindfulness, professional wellness and leadership, sustainable living, conscious movement, meditation, work-life balance, emotional intelligence, and creativity and innovation.