Iron Point Park Playground to Begin Construction

After several months of planning and fundraising, a playground at Iron Point Park in Flanders is slated to be constructed this April, Southampton Town announced Monday.

The Southampton Town Youth Bureau received a grant from KaBoom and Dr Pepper Snapple Group as part of the company’s Let’s Play program, an initiative to get children active by building or fixing up 2,000 playgrounds nationwide by the end of 2013.

Since receiving the award last April, the Youth Bureau has been working to raise matching funds, a requirement of the grant.  They’ve nearly reached their goal through fundraising, including car washes and a jewelry party, and support from the Flanders, Riverside, Northampton Civic Association (FRNCA), the Bay View Pines Civic Association, the Town of Southampton, and Riverhead Building Supply. The playground was designed with input from Flanders youth and will contain equipment intended to accommodate 5-12 year olds, with plans to add a toddlers section in the coming year.

“The playground will be a great addition to the park and will be ready for young families to enjoy right in time for the start of the Flanders Little League season,” said Councilman Chris Nuzzi.  “The youth in Flanders represent a large portion of their population so it’s important that they have places where they can enjoy being outdoors and get physical activity.”

Another important condition of the grant is that the construction of the playground must be a community project.  The Town has scheduled a “Build Day” on Saturday April 13, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Iron Point Park, located at the end of Wood Road Trail in Flanders.  Approximately 100 adult and youth volunteers are needed to help raise and assemble the playground.  Tools, supplies, and refreshments will be provided and direction and supervision will be conducted by the playground vendor.

To sign up and be part of this community project benefitting local youth, or for more information please call Karen at 631-702-2424 or email khurst@southamptontowntownny.gov.