Submitted by Montgomery County Tourism Director Gina DaBiere-Gibbs
The Amsterdam Mohawks have found a home at Shuttleworth Park. After
being part of renovations within the baseball facility since 2003 that
totaled over $500,000, the Mohawks are now spearheading a $1.2 million
Capital Campaign that will overhaul the entire rest of Shuttleworth
Park.
“Certainly the baseball stadium and the softball fields have come a long
way but over the years the rest of the park itself has become a little
outdated, overgrown with weeds and in need of some TLC. While the
setting is gorgeous and the city tries to maintain it, there just aren’t
city monies to give the park the updates that it needs. We are hoping
to do just that”, said Mohawks President Brian Spagnola, who is the
point person on the start of the project.
The plans for the updates of the park are numerous, including a paved,
walking/jogging/biking trail with lights along the creek, which will
also have locations for fishing. Work on the baseball, softball,
tennis, playground, pavilions, parking and bathroom facilities are also
expected, as well as a stage for musical performances in the park.
Also in the works is a plan for a new artificial turf field for Special
Needs individuals. The field will be slightly smaller than a softball
field and accommodates four sports–baseball, football, soccer, and
track. It will be similar to other ‘Dream Fields’ that are located
across America, one being located in East Greenbush. Spagnola added,
“There are ‘Miracle Leagues’ which allow special needs kids and adults
to participate in sporting events and actual organized leagues. There
was a story on the news recently about this and to watch it really was
heart warming. With nothing like that in this area, we have identified
a need and are thrilled to be able to possibly include this project into
our plans. We have an upcoming meeting with Liberty and are going to
try to finalize the plans for this”.
The campaign is aimed to be a 5 year project and Spagnola hopes that
with financial assistance from state, federal, and possibly even local
governments, a portion of the $1.2 million will be reduced. In
addition, he indicated that as this project is such a “community
project”, that there is hope that individuals and local companies will
donate labor and materials to help offset some costs. “If we can get
some local contractors, masons, carpenters, landscapers, excavators,
etc. to all donate a few days worth of service or material, we would
decrease the amount of capital that we need by a great deal. With the
city starting its new marketing campaign, we desperately need attractive
parks and recreation to help attract new businesses and possible
residents to our city, and I believe that this is a huge first step”,
said Spagnola.
Donations to the campaign will be tax deductible as local attorney Chuck
Schwartz has been the first person to step up and set up a non-profit
company called the “Shuttleworth Park Foundation” for the fundraising.
Spagnola indicated that contributions will be spread out over 5 years
and between the financial donations and in-kind contributions, the $1.2
million should be easily attainable. A website with a rendering of the
finished project will be available in the spring after all plans and
ideas are finalized.
He also indicated a need for one or two people who are really interested
in taking leading roles in this project as well as about 10 people who
are willing to be ‘board members’ who can be driving forces for the
campaign. “We are also hoping to get a group of about 100 people who
want to actively participate in the idea planning, fund-raising,
meeting, etc. portion of the entire campaign”.
The first meeting to organize ideas and plans for the Shuttleworth Park
Campaign is scheduled for 6:30 on Tuesday December 29 at Crystal
Ristorante. All are welcome to attend. If you plan on attending or are
interested in more information on assisting please contact Spagnola at
GM@AmsterdamMohawks.com or at 791-7546.
Possible Park Renovations included in the project:
* Walking trail along creek with lights
* Ice Skating facility
* Improved Parking
* ‘Miracle Field’ for special needs individuals
* Renovated tennis courts with lights
* Improved bathroom facility
* Work on pavilions
* Music stage
* New playground equipment
* Improved softball fields
* New artificial field turf on infields of baseball and softball
fields
* Completion of baseball facility
Donations sought:
* Monies
* Landscaping work
* Masonry work
* Carpentry work and materials
* Excavation work
* Fencing and fence work
* Website development
* Architectural drawing
* Paving
* Lumber
* Stone and concrete
* Plumbing materials and work
* Electrical materials and work
