Rockland Opens New Park In Spring Valley

SPRING VALLEY, NY — Children dominated the opening of a new park in Spring Valley, but they were less interested in the ribbon-cutting ceremony than the new playground.

Kennedy Park, a pocket park at 142 Old Nyack Turnpike in Spring Valley, has been completely rejuvenated. Where once there stood a drab parcel of land, now can be found colorful new playground equipment, including climbing areas, large slides and swings; benches; a gazebo with picnic tables; fencing; and rest rooms.

The park is geared toward families with children ages 2 to 12 and is ADA accessible.

Rockland County legislators, Spring Valley trustees, neighbors and a host of very happy children celebrated the opening of a new park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, ice cream and pizza for the kids, a chance to try out the spectacular new playground.

“This park provides a convenient location to some 200 families who live nearby and now have a place where they can take their children to enjoy being outdoors,” Spring Valley Deputy Mayor Yisroel Eisenbach said. “I thank everyone who worked to make this a reality. It truly enhances our community.”

Also participating in the ceremony were Rockland County legislators Aron Wieder, Joel Friedman, Toney L. Earl and Aney Paul; Village of Chestnut Ridge Deputy Mayor Chaim Rose; State Senator Bill Weber; and Village of Spring Valley trustees Joseph Gross and Asher Grossman.

“It’s an honor to join with so many community members and to witness the sheer joy of children enjoying this new park,” Wieder said. “Parks are about so much more than a place to visit. They are spaces that make our quality of life better and make our community a more desirable place to live. Now, this corner of Spring Valley has such a vibrant space.”

The project was approved for up to $200,000 through the Rockland Resilient Recreation Grant program, which continues to award municipalities and non-profits from between $5,000 up to $200,000 for investments in public urban green spaces.

The total grant program is using up to $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act Funds that were awarded to Rockland County.

Public surveys conducted by the county government show that residents want increased public green spaces, which grew in popularity during - and since - the pandemic.

The county has already provided funding to several projects, including Nyack’s Memorial Park for various improvements; Good Samaritan Hospital for the expansion of its Garden of Hope; and Haverstraw Bay Park, one of the County’s most widely used parks, for new surfacing around the playground for a safer experience.

Also awarded funding for much-needed improvements and expansions and in various phases of development: Besen Park and Lorna Park in Airmont; the Nyack Community Center Garden (new) in Clarkstown; the Community Center Basketball Court and Jefferson Park International Garden in Haverstraw; Maple Avenue Park (new) in Kaser; Village Hall grounds in Montebello; Lake Suzanne in Monsey; Roosevelt Avenue Pocket Park (new) in New Square; Elizabeth Place Park and Franklin Street in Orangetown; the Piermont Community Center and Half Moon Park in Piermont; Burgess Meredith Park and Secor Park in Pomona; Spring Valley Memorial Park; Pickleball Courts (Town Park) (new) in Stony Point; Peck’s Pond and Viohl Park in West Haverstraw; and Children’s Park and Sandy Brook in Ramapo.

Eligible Entities:

• Rockland County Municipalities
• Rockland County Nonprofits

Projects include but are not limited to:

• Active Parks
• Passive Parks (Gardens, open play areas, picnic areas, sitting areas, etc.)
• Playgrounds
• Paths to Connect Existing Green Spaces
• Community Food Gardens
• Multi-Use Green Infrastructure (Stormwater basins, rain gardens, etc.)
• Community beautification projects
• Mini-Forests