Community, Lead Stories

Latimer unveils new playground at Kensico Dam

Children can slide, swing and play again at the Kensico Dam Plaza on a brand new updated playground. The new, brightly colored play structures, one of
which includes a ramp for wheel chairs, all sit on top of a rubber safety surface and is part of a $1.86 million capital project.

“The new Kensico Dam Plaza playground is another example of updating the already great facilities Westchester County has to offer,” Westchester County
Executive George Latimer said. “In my administration we get things done and we fix what needs to be fixed. I’m excited to welcome the children back to
experience the new play structures and make fond memories with family and friends.”

The new accessible playground replaced previous structures that were more than 20 years old and features two new structures, one for children ages 5-12 and one for ages 2-5. The area also includes a new paved seating area with benches and picnic tables and the entrance features new landscaping with trees, flowering shrubs and perennials.  New pavements and an increased number of new and accessible picnic tables have been added to the main picnic area.
“As Kensico Dam Plaza is the heart of Westchester County, I am very excited to see the completion of this state-of-the-art playground that benefits all the
children of Westchester County,” said county Legislator Margaret Cunzio. “A sincere thank you to all of those involved who helped make this project happen,
County Executive George Latimer, my colleagues at the Board of Legislators, the Westchester County Departments of Parks, Planning and Public Works and the staff at Kensico.

Westchester County Parks Commissioner Kathy O’Connor added, “Kensico Dam Plaza is the “Central Park” of Westchester County as the park receives a large number of visitors and keeping the facility up-to-date is important to keeping children safe and happy.” The capital project also includes a new memorial dedicated to first responders who lost their lives to 9/11-related illnesses, which is located next to The Rising. The landscaped backdrop to the memorial has
been fully renovated with new trees, shrubs and perennials.
(Submitted)