Hasbrouck Playground’s reopening welcomed in New Paltz

The playground at Hasbrouck Park in New Paltz was reopened for use on July 10, village trustee William Wheeler Murray has confirmed. Parents are expected to see to it that the kids they’re supervising observe pandemic safety rules regarding distance between groups and the covering of faces by masks. Village employees will not be sanitizing the surfaces. “That would be an impossible thing to do,” Murray said.

“Parents are thankful it’s open,” Murray said. The playground provides an opportunity for play in an environment believed to be less likely to result in transmission of the coronavirus. “We did have people hopping the fence before the opening,” he added, but “most people have been very understanding.” Experts are finding that outdoor activities are safer. A recent study suggests that the virus can be wiped out by summer sunshine in about half an hour.

There have been other improvements. With the new playground close to the busier intersection of Tricor and Hasbrouck avenues, new stop signs were recently installed at that corner, which Murray expects will slow drivers down. The trustee is thankful that the trees planted around the playground last fall survived the winter. Numerous parents said during the planning stages that they hoped for more shade with the new play space, but for the moment it’s in fact much sunnier. Another ten years might change that situation. 

A plaque honoring resident Julia Andrews Jackson will be installed after it’s delivered.

On the other hand, the so-called “second-wave creative” project is on hold. That initiative proposes an artist on the theme of “local pollinators” will be selected by committee, and receive $1000 plus additional money for materials. Village officials have expressed concern about the fiscal outlook of the government, given the large amount of uncertainty around the pandemic, and have put the brakes on spending in a number of areas.