POUGHKEEPSIE – City officials and others gathered at the recently renovated and improved Pershing Avenue Park in Poughkeepsie for a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The improvements are part of the city’s continued enhancements to the city park system.
The renovations included the removal of old fencing and adjusting poor sight lines to give the park the feel of an open space. Combined with new solar lighting, the improvements were designed to discourage people from using the park for criminal activity.
The redesigned park was done by the city in collaboration with New City Parks and the Scenic Hudson Land Trust. A representative from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club (GME) attended the event to perform a ceremonial “flipping of the switch” to turn on the new lights, which were funded by GME Sun Club.
Pershing Avenue Park is in the 7th ward of the City of Poughkeepsie and is home to an active summer basketball league.
In 2020 the city hired New City Parks to work with community partners in the 7th ward to restore the recreational facilities in the park and to add a walking trail, benches, solar lights, and a meadow north of the basketball courts.
Visitors to the park, Mayor Rob Rolison said, can now enjoy newly installed playground equipment, resurfaced basketball courts, new hoops and backboards, many new trees and native shrubs for shade and cooling, new benches, new walking paths, benches, and tables.
“The city and Scenic Hudson opened The Pershing Avenue Community Garden and Neighborhood Farm in 2021, as the first phase of the revitalization of Pershing Park, in response to needs voiced by residents to support and build healthy lifestyles for children and families and provide quality education programs for people of all ages,” said Rolison.
City of Poughkeepsie Parks and Recreation Superintendent Brian Laffin has been overseeing the improvements to the city park system and was pleased with the results at Pershing Avenue. “The partnership between the city and New City Parks along with the other organizations that have been involved turned a neglected park into a vibrant facility that has something for everyone.” Laffin also said, “Safety improvements and more open space will provide a safe environment for city residents seeking recreational opportunities in their neighborhood.”
