by Bea Peterson
Early Tuesday evening, June 19, Hoosick Falls Mayor Matt Monahan, Deputy Mayor Paul Haynes and Trustees Ric DiDonato and David Borge met at the 4th Ward playground to recognize, with plaques, the volunteers who made the community playground possible. Mayor Monahan said he wanted to thank everyone who had any part in making the playground what it is today, from the volunteers who first approached the Village and began the fundraising, to all those who help maintain and improve it. The Mayor said the plaques are the result of a letter he received in March recommending the Village dedicate the playground to Jack and Peg Bakaitis.
[private]The Board thanked the couple, and their son Patrick, for all their hard work in constructing and maintaining the playground. Peg said she was totally embarrassed by the honor. Their plaque reads, “4th Ward Playground. The park is dedicated to Peg and Jack Bakaitis in appreciation of their commitment to community and youth.” The second plaque reads, “This park is made possible thanks to the hard work and contributions of those of our community. Special thanks to the 4th Ward Playground Committee.
The Mayor noted that for five years Peg has been collecting cans and bottles to raise funds for the playground. “She has raised over $10,000, one nickel at a time,” he said. Monahan and Haynes each brought a huge bag of cans to add to the collection.
The playground is specifically geared for young children. There are baby swings, small swings, a junior size basketball hoop, a gazebo with a slide and climbing tires and a kiddy size picnic table. Last year a large gazebo was put in the park. It provides plenty of shade for the youngsters and the folks watching them. It also has a full size picnic table in it. There were two blue strapped vinyl chairs in the gazebo, but they have gone missing. Hopefully they will be returned.
Neil Waytkus, who rebuilt the stairs on the climbing gazebo, said his grandchildren come to the playground two to three times a week. Mary Haynes said her girls frequently come to the playground. She likes it because it is made for little kids and she can sit comfortably and watch them play.
Mayor Monahan said the 4th Ward Playground is just one example of what the community can make of itself.
[/private]