Sherrill Kenwood Community Park Playground at Robertson Park

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How did this idea come about? 

While in Whitesboro at the Harts Hill Elementary School playground, a group of Sherrill parents who had traveled there independently asked one another why our town didn’t have a large playground despite having so many families in a bedroom community.  With the charm, history, and civic attitude that permeates Sherrill and its neighbors, we felt that erecting a playground, and enhancing the beauty of an existing park by renovating its trails and adding sculpture could really increase the value of our community and bring together its citizens in a common area.  With this spirit in mind, the community park and playground mission was born.

Fortunately, a partner was found in the Sherrill Kenwood Community Chest (SKCC).  This organization raises money every year and gives it back to organizations and charities within the community.  The members of the SKCC also felt that this was a chance to enhance the value of this community and the quality of life of our citizens.  They decided to match every dollar that was given to build this park and once they were committed to the project, we knew it could be done.

Who will benefit?

Children ages one to twelve will enjoy this playground.  An important part of the design and size is to allow all ages a fun place to play, not just toddlers.  Safety will be the primary concern with a location at a dead end street to avoid traffic, a synthetic rubber surface that can absorb high impact and no pea gravel, wood chips or sand.

Families will have a place to gather when friends and relatives come to town.  The existing pavilion, new benches, playground, and synergy with athletic fields and Sherrill pool make this a great place to gather and spend your day.

Senior citizens will have a safe asphalt trail without exposed roots or uneven landscape.  Walkers and wheelchairs will be free to access this trail as well.   When grandchildren come to visit, there will be a fun park close where children can play for hours without getting bored.

Homeowners will see that this attracts families to buy and build homes very quickly.  Our community is already a great place to live, but this will add to its appeal as a charming location.  The artwork and trail will give a buzz for all to enjoy and we expect home values to reflect this within just a few years.

Handicapped adults and children will enjoy the easy access to the trail and beauty of its landscape.  Handicapped adults and children will use the barrier-free handicapped accessible surface of the synthetic recycled rubber and the ramps and railings on some climbing structures.

Businesses, donors, community members that give to the park will be recognized for their contributions indefinitely in the paverstone patio and walkway that will surround the park.  Larger donors will be recognized and thanked on the park’s commemorative plaque that welcomes users. 

Walkers, joggers, bikers, hikers, bird-watchers, cross-country skiers, nature lovers, art enthusiasts, pretty much everyone!!

This sounds expensive, who is paying for it?

This park will be entirely paid for by private donations and matched donations from the not-for-profit Sherrill Kenwood Community Chest.   All donations will be go through the community chest and will not be taxable.  This will make it easier for all businesses and families to give and a receipt with the tax ID # will be given for every gift from the Sherrill Kenwood Community Chest.  As noted above, businesses, individuals, and families that give can print their business or family name, remember a loved one, or print a message with a custom paver stone in the park.  We expect the SKCC to account for 50%, businesses to be 45% and individual gifts from individuals and families around the Sherrill Kenwood community to account for about 5% of the total money.  Our goal is $250,000.

How did you come to choose Robertson Park?

We looked at many options for this park including the green space near the CAC, a space on route 5, Gordon park, and even space in a future housing development in Sherrill.  Robertson park is an ideal location. 

It has a beautiful existing trail through the woods along the creek that can be upgraded and made safer, handicapped accessible.  This would also allow easy patrol of the trail to keep it safe. 

Adjacent to this location are 2 softball, one soccer, and one little-league field.  The city pool and McAllister elementary school will be immediately adjacent will give the park plenty of use.  This will help keep children safe and together in one area during the summer months and school year.   The large greenscape expanse allows for the presence of the playground without taking away the majority of green.  Art work and  trail will complement parks natural beauty.

The gazebo, ice rink, and city complex nearby allow for synergy during fireworks, parades, music nights and other events that draw our community together. 

Noyes Manor is located directly across the park and has many senior citizens that may enjoy the park’s easily navigated trail.  Hopefully, the large playground means more visits from young loved ones that may have been restless with no place for small children to play on previous visits.

It is at the end of a dead end street, and has a second access from a Kinsley St. driveway that leads to the elementary school parking lot.  There is no thru traffic, so no vehicles will be traveling nearby at high speeds.  No child predator could grab a victim and speed off.  Parking exists next to the elementary school and city pool and room to expand parking is also available.

There is a large pavilion, existing expansive lawns, and picnic tables.  Community families and organizations will get more enjoyment out of the pavilion with such a nice playground to keep children safe and occupied.

What’s so great about this playground?

A synthetic rubber turf barrier free playground is the standard of excellence in today’s playgrounds.  It is the most impact absorbent and also the easiest to maintain.  There is no replacement, raking, or repositioning of gravel, sand, or woodchips.  The structures will be of the highest quality and built to last for decades.  The playground will include 3 separate large structures of various sizes to allow all ages access, a large swing structure that can allow several children use at once, a large sand pit surrounded by soft synthetic rubber edges for safety, and several smaller free-standing structures.  Please browse the website photos to get an idea of what is in store for the playground. 

Why do we need art and what does the park committee have in mind?

Sherrill has a rich heritage associated with its reputation as the home of one of the world’s largest silversmiths for over a century and even today with a new flatware manufacturer operating here in town.  A large metalworks sculpture that somehow pays homage to our town’s history with flatware or silverware is planned as a general theme in Robertson park or at some other green location in the main part of town.  Examples of this type of art are also shown at the website page.  We believe that art will add value and beauty to the park and instill a sense of pride in the citizens of the region.  Potential sculptors are sought to give their visions for the sculpture and an estimate of costs for work and materials.  So far, we have contacted several universities, and the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, and found several sculptors on the internet who may be interested in such an undertaking.

I would like to help, is there anything I can do?

We are accepting donations of any size.  Gift levels will be listed below.

Volunteers will not be turned away.  As you can imagine, with a budget as large as this and our lofty aspirations, a lot of coordination and help is needed.  If there are lots of volunteers, the work can be divided and will move along quickly.  Several subgroups will be formed and can operate pretty much autonomously and independently in a common time frame.  There will need to be a small group of volunteers for each of the following:  Paverstone donations and messages, park layout and architecture, trail development, art sculpture commission and pricing, letter writing and business solicitation and possible fundraiser event planning.

CONTRIBUTIONS

All gifts will be matched dollar for dollar by the Sherrill Kenwood Community Chest.  Checks should be made payable to the Sherrill Kenwood Community Chest.  The Tax ID# for the SKCC will be given on your receipt.  A receipt for any individual or business that contributes $250 or above will be given such a receipt.

Gift levels

  
KEY DATES + TIME LINE

• September, 2007 – Idea born
• February, 2008 – Sherrill Kenwood Community Chest board members vote and enthusiastically agree to support the project with financial and volunteer support.
• May 12, 2008 – Sherrill City Council Meeting hears proposal for park.
• May 14, 2008 – Sherrill Council support announced with Robertson Park cited as location for park.
• May 17, 2008 – Plans for park announced in Oneida Daily Dispatch cover story
• June 10th:  Sherrill PTSO informational meeting,
• June 13th:  WMCR Talk Line, 10AM
• June 23rd: CAC Informational Meeting and Sign up for those interested volunteers.  Also a chance to hear concerns and address them.

Goals: 

• Organize subcommittees and assign goals for each – July 20008.
• Fund drive:  Recruit/ solicit individual/business/corporate donations: Aug-Dec 2008.
• Design park layout:  Jan-Mar 2009.
• Manufacture personalized bricks: Feb-March 2009.
• Commission sculpture:  Fall 2008.
• Trail upgrade and park construction. June-July 2009.
• Park completion:  summer 2009.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more specific information or if you would like to volunteer to help with this exciting community project you can send email to: drpat@costellolasik.com

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