WEST EDITION
Westside News Established 1953
Serving Suburban News West and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald edition areas
Serving the communities of Hamlin, Clarkson, Kendall, Bergen, Clarendon, Holley-Murray, Brockport-Sweden
January 31, 2021
Issue No. 5
westsidenewsny.com
Parma Town Park playground to be replaced; community support sought The south playground at Parma Town Park has served the community well, but is aging and wearing quickly to a point where it presents some serious safety concerns. In order to ensure safety of users, as well as enhance quality of life, Hilton-Parma Parks & Recreation came to the determination that removal and replacement of this structure is a necessary priority. With community support, the goal is to build a unique, state-of-the-art, 7,400 square foot playground in its place to be ready for use in the spring of 2021. Playgrounds, like any structure, have a life expectancy. The current playground equipment is 25 years old and inadequate in a number of ways. It may look good at a glance, but according to Hilton-Parma Parks & Recreation, there is a lot that the untrained eye does not see. Over the past several years, band-aid repairs have been made and areas boarded up only for users to remove and expose said areas, putting themselves, and the town at risk.
Artist rendering of the planned playground.
The design will allow for children of all abilities to play together.
The plan is to install new equipment to make the playground a place where children will have the safe, stimulating, inclusive, and healthy opportunities to play, especially during this pandemic. The total budget for the project is $220,000, but to make this plan a reality, some assistance is needed to help offset the cost. The Friends of Hilton-Parma Parks & Recreation are seeking private donations of any amount. Visit the Friends’ Playground Fundraising Page at https://fundrazr.com/ c1kbBe?ref=ab_49noA6 to donate. Contributors will be invited to participate in a Virtual Donor Party where all
supporters will be recognized and have the opportunity to win prizes. A fundraising goal of $25,000 has been set. Any funds raised above and beyond the fundraising goal will go towards additional enhancements, such as accessibility surfacing and shade structures. The Town of Parma is also seeking corporate sponsorship with different suggested sponsorship amounts and a variety of benefits to participating sponsors. Email Parks and Recreation Director Tom Venniro at tvenniro@ parmany.org for more about corporate sponsorship. Provided information and photos
Sunnking raises more than $11,000 to support Camp Good Days On January 26, Brockport-based electronics recycler Sunnking presented an $11,761 check to Camp Good Days and Special Times, a local non-profit organization helping children and families living with cancer. The funds were raised as a part of Sunnking’s 10th annual e-Scrap for Camp fundraiser. Despite a pandemic and months-long layover, the company saw 345 area businesses participate in the electronics recycling donation drive. “We were really worried about having great participation, but the community loves it; they ask about it year-round, and frankly, everybody knows it’s coming and loves to participate,” said Adam Shine, Vice President of Sunnking. “I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. Yes, it’s down, but it’s a down year all around, and I think, all things considered, we really pulled through.” Sunnking works with local businesses to recycle unwanted electronics through the donation drive, generating funds for future programs at Camp Good Days and
Special Times. Through its first ten years, e-Scrap for Camp has gifted year-round access for 114 Western New York children. “In a year of so many cancellations, recreations, and pauses, we are beyond grateful for Sunnking’s tremendous support and commitment,” said Lisa Booz, WNY regional director of Camp Good Days & Special Times. “To say this contribution will have an impact on our 2021 programs is an understatement. Sunnking knows our programming continues, and to do that, these funds will be clutch.” Through the free recycling program’s first decade, over five million pounds of electronics have been recycled. The collections have resulted in over $114,000 donated to Camp Good Days by Sunnking and its Buffalo and Rochester-area partners. “I know that there’s a tremendous shortage this year of donors given the pandemic,” said Shine. “I think all not-for-profits are probably hurting and feeling it, and I think that this probably comes at a really crucial time.” Provided information and photo
Pictured (l-r) are Sunnking Vice President Adam Shine and CEO Duane Beckett.