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Mount Vernon Mayor Ernest Davis and the Department of Recreation are in need of approximately 200 volunteers that will team with city officials, the Westchester Knicks and KaBOOM as they prep the playground build.
It will be a busy in week in Mount Vernon, kicking off at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the park, when two days of prep work will begin. The build will begin at 7:30 a.m. that following Saturday, Oct. 24, when hundreds will trek to the city to build a brand-new playground in just a few hours. The build is expected to kick off at (;30 a.m. that morning, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at approximately 2:30 p.m. that very day.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided during the build and preparation. Gloves and safety materials will be provided when necessary. Any youth under the legal working age for the state will be welcome to participate in youth activities, but will not be able to participate in building in the construction areas.
The build will take place, rain or shine. Participants are warned that they should “come dressed for the weather in clothes (one) doesn’t mind getting dirty or stained.” Closed-toe shoes are required.
Davis noted that the designs for the new playground were partially designed by local children who participated in a contest during the summer.
“The designs drawn by Oakwood Heights’ children back in August will be incorporated into the playground this ‘Building Day,’” he said. “By providing this new play space, Mount Vernon children will have another recreational facility they deserve, filled with balance and quality apparatus so they can thrive.”
Those interested in participating in the playground build can register online by signing a waiver online. Any inquiries regarding the build can be directed toward Diane Atkins, the Deputy Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Department of Recreation at (914) 665-2316.
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