The Town of Halfmoon plans to break ground in the next few weeks on a park that has been nine years in the making.
It is more than a dream come true, said Councilwoman Regina Parker, who chairs the committee to build the park.
She has served on the committee since its inception in 1999, and said she is excited to deliver on her promise to build a town park.
Supervisor Mindy Wormuth also showed enthusiasm for the ground breaking during the town’s council meeting, Tuesday, June 3, when contracts were awarded to several companies to perform construction on the park.
`I think this has been a long time coming,` Wormuth said.
The park, which was supposed to be built in conjunction with the new Town Hall completed in December, will be located on Route 236 on a 50-acre parcel of land purchased by the town in 1999.
`When you do a town park, you need to have something for everybody,` Parker said.
When complete, the park will have pavilions with restrooms, a clubhouse, soccer fields and trails, in addition to passive recreational areas, according to Parker.
Parker said several town groups, including the town’s Little League and summer recreation program, would use the facilities. She also noted that people could hold gatherings at the park.
The land was originally the Wills Estate, and was laden with Indian artifacts, which slowed the process, Parker said.
`You have respect those who came before us,` Parker said of the painstaking removal of artifacts from the land.
She said the town saved the recovered objects and placed them on exhibit.
Parker said she is optimistic about finishing the park by November; however, she cautioned that the weather has to cooperate.
`It’s going to be a very nice project when completed,` Parker said.
The board also adopted a resolution to apply for grant funding from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.“