KINGSTON >> Buzz saws whirred, small bulldozers scooped gravel and volunteers lugged posts Wednesday as construction of the Kinderland II playground got underway at Forsyth Park.
The playground is replacing the original Kinderland, which was built in the Lucas Avenue park in the early 1990s and taken down last week.
Anna Brett, president of the Junior League of Kingston, which is spearheading the Kinderland II project, said at least 70 volunteers turned out Wednesday.
“It’s a wonderful way to begin,” Brett said as she stood at the volunteer sign-up station.
Volunteers who dug holes, raised posts and worked circular saws, among other tasks, said they were there out of a sense of commitment to the community.
“We are here to help out because it is the right thing to do,” said Ron Wood, 62, of Kingston.
“We are giving back to the community,” said Matthew Farber, 51, also of Kingston.
Three women – Heather Young, 25, and Brianne Arthurs, 23, both of Kingston, and Erica Kem, 27, of Milton – are employees of United Healthcare in the town of Ulster who came to lend a hand.
They said each team at the company participates in one project each year, and this year their team chose Kinderland II.
“It is helping locally, and it has local impact,” Young said.
“It is a good opportunity to do [good work] for the Kingston community and the kids,” said Kem.
Two unions – Laborers International of North America Local 17 and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 – are providing skilled services at no cost.
Mike Ham, business representative for the engineers’ union, said his workers got involved in the playground project after being contacted by Kingston Mayor Shayne Gallo.
Baker Brothers Excavating Co. of West Hurley and United Rentals of New Windsor donated equipment being used by the volunteers.
The Kinderland II construction project is to run through Sunday, with volunteers working in shifts from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. In all, some 500 people have signed up to help.
People who still want to sign up to help build the playground can do so online at bit.ly/1PgBJiK or by calling the Junior League at (845) 471-3534.
Work shifts for the project will be 8 a.m. to noon, 12:30 to 5 p.m. and 5:30 to 9 p.m. each day.
The park sits between Lucas Avenue and Dietz Memorial Stadium. Parking for volunteers will be available at the stadium, and meals are being be provided.
Child care will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day.
Kinderland II is expected to cost $180,000, an amount the Junior League says it has raised. The money includes a $50,000 state grant.
Among the features of the new playground will be a playhouse modeled after the Senate House in Uptown Kingston.
The original Kinderland was demolished April 13 by city employees, and its wooden remnants were taken to the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency, according to Kingston Public Works Superintendent Michael Schupp.
