Supported by funding and dozens of volunteers from Tarrytown's Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and coordinated by park builder KaBOOM!, more than 200 workers fought the humidity beginning at 9 a.m. and finished work on the sprawling, state-of-the-art playground ahead of schedule in less than seven hours..
"It's humbling to see how everyone has come together in such a community effort with a partnership between Regeneron, the village, the school, parents and KaBOOM to build this wonderful place," Dixson Principal Madeline Paneto-Gonzalez said. "The outpouring of support and relationships built with people who may not have known each other before, is amazing."
The playground, which includes play areas filled with new equipment, a pavilion, basketball court, garden and colorful learning area on the park's paved areas, is the first built by Regeneron and KaBOOM! The design of the playground is based on the school children’s drawings created at a special design event in April.
After the work was completed, the volunteer groups posed for photos and the park was dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m.
KaBOOM's national non-profit focuses on families prioritizing play for their children and coordinates with funding partners like Regeneron to build more than 200 playgrounds a year.
"The old playground here was not safe and had to be taken out," KaBOOM! project coordinator Lauren Allen said. "Our mission is to elevate the cause of play. This new area will give that opportunity to lots of Elmsford kids."
Regeneron's facilities department had 90 volunteers on the job to build the park. Mayor Robert Williams and members of the village Board of Trustees and various departments volunteered their time.
More than 200 volunteers contributed their along with donations from local businesses and private residents, parents/guardians and other entities
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