It may not be much to look at now, but in the coming months Mount Marion Park and its run-down basketball court will be getting a new look. The improvements will be made thanks to the Shane Geisler Fund, and the town Parks and Buildings Department.
When the work is completed, the park will be renamed the Shane Geisler Memorial Park, as recommended by the town’s recreation committee and Parks and Buildings head Greg Chorvas.
The Shane Geisler Fund raises money in the town and village of Saugerties to support a number of programs. Geisler, a popular local teacher, died in 2005 at age 29 shortly after Kingston’s annual Shamrock Run road race.
The Geisler Fund will pay for the complete rehabilitation of the basketball court at the park. Money from the Parks and Buildings budget and the recreation trust fund will be used to fix up the remaining portion of the playground.
Mount Marion Park is one of several satellite parks the town takes care of, Chorvas said.
Work is also proceeding at the basketball court at the Lions Club playground adjacent to Cantine Field. Kevin Hinchey, the owner of the Saugerties Stallions college league baseball team, is paying for the work being done there by the toan highway and parks departments.
Chorvas said the asphalt surface on the rehabilitated basketball court has been completed. It must first cure before a coat of paint can be applied. Chorvas thought the painting would be some time in September.
Industrial-strength posts and new rims have been installed. Benson Steel fabricated the new posts. Chorvas noted that some strong basketball players like to slam the ball and hang on the rims. The new posts should stand up to pretty much anything the ballplayers can subject them to.
Join the family! 
