AMHERST, N.Y. (WBEN)......In an attempt to make political lemonade out of lemons, Amherst Assemblymember Karen McMahon has secured $500,000 to help renovate Kingsgate Park.
McMahon was able to get the allocation for Amherst just weeks after town officials were roundly criticized for removing aging equipment from the popular Kingsgate Park - a move that drew the wrath and ire from residents, particular those in Snyder who live and used the pocket park located just off Wehrle Drive and adjacent to the Amherst Central baseball diamonds.
"Neighborhood parks mean a lot to me," McMahon said. "Parks help define quality of life."
Restoring Kingsgate Park has become a hot button issue in Amherst and the town, briefly, closed the park and removed most of its equipment with little advance notice to nearby residents.
Kingsgate has since reopened but except for one ball diamond and a set of swings, it remains largely void of any playground equipment.
McMahon said the $500,000 will help pay for new playground equipment but what equipment is ordered will be determined by resident input.
Community meetings to review possible new equipment will be held this fall and the new playground equipment should be ordered and installed by next spring.
"The people who live will shape its future," McMahon said. "This will be a park for the community, designed by the community.."
McMahon, earlier this year, was able to allocate $1 million to help renovate Briarhurst Park in Amherst.
Move comes after town criticized for removing well-worn equipment
Move comes after town criticized for removing well-worn equipment
