New Nautical Playground To Set Sail at Harbor Island

by Judy Silberstein

(November 14, 2006) Area children will have their choice of nautically-themed playgrounds by next June when the Harbor Island Conservancy completes a planned renovation and expansion at Harbor Island Park. On Saturday, November 11, the Conservancy unveiled designs for a clipper ship, tug boat, lighthouse and 9 other unique elements at a reception for Mamaroneck Village officials and residents.

As explained by Fred Longacre, president of the organization’s board, the Harbor Island Conservancy, founded in 2003, has been working with Mamaroneck’s government in various capacities to revitalize the park. The playground is only one aspect of a master plan that calls for reorganizing the park's layout to make room for new ball fields, paths, and other amenities. (See: Harbor Island Master Plan.) At the reception, Julia Sperry-Longacre, secretary, discussed previous projects funded by the group and Jose Zeilstra, chair of the design committee, presented plans for the new playground. (See: A PDF describing all of the equipment proposed.)

The group has already raised $124K towards a total of $207K needed to pay for the new playground. John Farris, fundraising chair, officially opened the campaign to raise the remaining funds from the community. The balance will be needed by February 1, 2007 to assure the playground will open in June 2007, explained Mr. Farris. (See: donation information below.)

Hands-on support will also be needed in June when consultant Brett Haddaway of Designs for Fun will be on site to help put the playground together in a “community build.” Mr. Haddaway has already guided a number of projects in Larchmont and Mamaroneck, including Chatsworth School’s “stegasaurus” (see: "Stegasaurus” Playground Rises At Chatsworth) and Flint Park’s own nautically-themed playground. (See:Flint Park Playground Afloat: Volunteers, DPW Pitch In.)

A multi-level "Clipper Ship" is the star of the proposed playground re-design at Harbor Island Park.

In addition to its nautical theme, the new facility will include many activities accessible to special-needs children. The design also considers parent needs: central to the site is a covered pavilion. The layout locates equipment in areas appropriate for younger and older age groups, and has room for up to 150 children at a time.

“Fantastic!” said Mamaroneck Deputy Mayor Bill Paonessa upon seeing the design for the first time on Saturday. “We had no idea how much thought and effort was going into this project. This will be the ultimate playground,” he predicted.

Contributions: To make a tax deductible contribution, send checks to: Harbor Island Conservancy, Inc., 180 East Prospect Ave., Mamaroneck, NY 10543, or donate on line at the secure website: www.harborislandconservancy.org. Donors may also purchase equipment, benches and pavers. For more information, contact Fred Longacre at f_longacre@hotmail.com or John Farris at atfarris@aol.com.

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