Holley celebrates new playground along canal park trail

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Local officials today celebrated a new playground in the Village of Holley along the canal park trail. The project was a joint venture through the village, Town of Murray and the county health department.

Unveiling the new sign at the park, from left, include: Village Trustee Rochelle Moroz, Murray Town Supervisor Gerry Rightmyer, County Legislator John Fitzak and Village Trustee Jessica MacClaren. The new sign was designed by Lake Country Media in Albion.

The playground was popular with kids this morning around 11 a.m.

The playground replaces one that was about 25 years old and was removed in 2022 due to disrepair.

The new playground was funded with a $150,000 state grant secured by health department, $52,000 from the Village of Holley and $25,000 from the Town of Murray.

It’s the only public playground in the Town of Murray and Village of Holley besides the one at the elementary school.

Rightmyer said Murray used ARPA federal funds for its share of the project.

Holley Mayor Mark Bower, left, thanked the town and county for supporting the project. The local governments worked with Parkitects and Landscape Structures on the design of the playground, which was installed by Align Outdoors.

Bower said they wanted a new playground that was different from the one at the school. He has been pleased to see many kids and families using the playground.

Legislator John Fitzak said the project was a “creative collaboration” among the three government – village, town and county.

“It’s another way everyone works together for a common benefit,” he said.

Brenden Bedard, assistant director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, spotted the grant possibility. He reached out to Bower to see if Holley was interested in pursuing it. The local entities worked with the county grantwriter, Diane Cihak of Upper Edge Consulting, to submit the successful grant application.

Bedard, a Holley resident who was elected a village trustee on Tuesday, said a playground brings many health benefits, encouraging kids and families to exercise and be outside.

Mayor Bower said the project is the latest in efforts to add recreational amenities in the village. A new kayak launch was recently added through a grant.

Holley also received a grant to add more lighting along the canal path at the park. A screen also will be put in the canal park pavilion to protect people from bugs and insects while they are enjoying the pavilion. A bench with a solar cover also will be added that will be a spot where people can recharge their phones, Bower said.

The village owns the fireman’s field across from the elementary school and two Gaga Ball pits and a bocce court were recently installed at that field, which is leased by the fire department.