OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen
Pictured is the newly installed playground equipment at Ryckman Park in Brocton.
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OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen
Pictured is the newly installed playground equipment at Ryckman Park in Brocton.
BROCTON — The heart of Brocton has been restored.
Brocton’s Ryckman Park playground has been replaced and new equipment has been installed.
The playground is now open to the public in time to enjoy the final two months of summer. Mayor Craig Miller noted the village has received “tons of compliments so far” on the new playground.
The village took its final step in approving a payment for mulch at the playground at its recent meeting. American Rescue Plan Act funding covered the remaining costs after insurance reimbursement.
The village evaluated its options following approximately $45,000 worth of damage to the playground due to a storm this past winter. Eventually, the Village Board approved the purchase of equipment from Jeffrey Associates, a playground equipment company based in Pennsylvania, of just over $35,000 at a previous meeting. The board applied insurance reimbursement from the damaged equipment in the amount of $20,819, with an additional payment of $14,809 in available American Rescue Plan Act funding.
The Village of Brocton and Town of Portland Highway Department worked to remove the damaged equipment to allow the new equipment to be installed by mid-July. Miller thanked Highway Superintendent Ken Becker and the Highway Department employees for their efforts.
“The camaraderie between the two departments is super,” Miller said. “Everybody works well together and I appreciate that.”
The village is also moving forward with painting the newly installed basketball courts on Kinney Street. Becker plans to request a tool to paint lines on the court.
Village Trustees Kari Doino and Drew Ransom both reported that the Summer Recreation program has been running smoothly this summer. Doino noted the program is averaging approximately 40 children participating per day.
The village still plans two festivals this fall, one located at Ryckman Park, and another at Brocton Central School. More details will be available at a later date.
