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GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Greenburgh parents now have "an oasis of green space," as Sara Cashen calls it, for their children.
The Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, celebrated the grand opening of its new discovery playground on Sunday. The playground meets Greenburgh's need of a safe outdoor play area for children, said Sara Cashen, the center's director of finance and development.
"This has been a long time coming, and I'm really excited to share it with the community," said Cashen, who has been coordinating the playground's construction since 2007.
The Town of Greenburgh contributed to almost half of the playground's budget when fundraising began in 2009, with corporate and private donors pitching in the rest of the years, Cashen said.
The playground is nestled quietly in the Nature Center's woody grounds. Other local play areas are usually near busy roads. The Nature Center location is a relief for Cena Hampden, who brought her granddaughter Simone Taylor, 2, to the playground on Monday.
"I think it's wonderful. I love the setting — no roads, no traffic," Hampden said. "We've been watching it as they built, waiting for it to open."
The playground is the second part of the center's master plan to restore and enhance its programs. Its first major project was the Barnyard Exhibit, which opened in May 2010. Next, the Nature Center will take on building a sustainable schoolhouse — a place to hold education programs using sustainable building techniques and materials like a green roof.
The playground is free and open to the public, and is open every day from dawn till dusk.
"We all need more opportunities to unplug and connect with nature," Cashen said.
Comments (6)
yeah Hal. All you do is complain, compromises the integrity of everything you bring up, because you hate EVERYTHING. I haven't heard you say one nice or positive thing in over 3 years living here in Greenburg, Nobody is going to listen to someone that just is against EVERYTHING. Seriously, you have some intelligent things to say, and if you're that intelligent, then you will appreciate what I have just told you.
nag, nag, nag but done anonymously,
Seeing "Dad" in your identity says to me I've stepped on the toes of one who intends to bring his brood to the Nature Center's onsite outdoor playground.
With this bias naturally you would fail to see the "those who live in glass houses" reminder of the Nature Center making an absurd complaint about potential development across the road threatening the environment and bringing more traffic. Thereafter the Nature Center expanded their parking area and now opens an outdoor playground; hardly setting the example of seeking quietude in nature.
Hint: kids arrive at the Nature Center by car and have been known to convey their amusement audibly in less than dulcet tones. Perhaps why few parents play cds of playground sounds when meditating.
There are no sacred cows in Greenburgh.
I harbor no objections to the playground only to hypocrisy. And living in Greenburgh is ground zero for such. As a resident and taxpayer you might want to complain yourself; not about my comments which you're under no obligation to read but rather about the sources of my keyboard for export.
If it seems that I find fault with everything (you must be my chief fanboy to keep such an accurate record) you might consider either not reading what I write or doing something about the problems I bring (intelligently) to your attention.
While zoologists present the case that ostriches can't survive in this northern clime, apparently they are wrong as there are lots of them living in Greenburgh. Ostriches who only come out to complain about the messenger.
Continue to enjoy the playground for adults on these pages.
Hal Samis
i rest my case
...in the sand
Kudos to the Nature Center. This playground highlights the role of the center and allows children of all ages to appreciate the need for this spectacular facility. The playground invites the public to experience the entire function of the Nature Center. Some naysayers will naysay about anything simply out of habit. While I agree with Mr. Samis on many more important Town issues, sometimes I think he should be living in a cave.
Remember when the Nature Center claimed that the owners of the property beyond its wall and across the road should be prevented from building multi-family housing because the existence of apartments would upset the wildlife?
I do.
Hal Samis