Holley awarded $75K state grant for inclusive playground

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 February 2025 at 2:27 pm

HOLLEY – The Village of Holley has been awarded a $75,000 state grant for an inclusive playground that will ADA-accessible.

“Nestled beside the Erie Canal, this addition reflects the Canal’s role in enhancing quality of life and creating welcoming spaces for all,” the Canal Corp. said in announcing the funding on Monday.

Holley has the matching funds for a project that will total about $150,000, Mayor Mark Bower said.

The village has $35,000 set aside for the playground and the Town of Murray has committed $25,000 towards the project. The Holley Department of Public Works also will provide in-kind services with excavating and site work, Bower said.

Community volunteers will also be asked to help construct the playground which will allow Holley to maximize the funding towards the equipment for children.

The village will soon seek bids from playground companies for the equipment. Bower is hopeful construction will start in April.

The playground will go where there was one previously along the canal path. That playground wasn’t accessible to people with disabilities, had fallen into disrepair and was removed in 2022, Bower said.

The mayor thanked the Orleans County Health Department for helping to secure the grant for the village.

Holley also recently was awarded a grant to put in a kayak launch and new decking and stairs at its canal park.