"Bailey Ave the good old days"

I have grown up and lived in the city for many years. I have raised my children in the city. As a kid we filled our days at the park during the summer as well as the winter. In the winter the park had a beautiful outdoor ice rink with lights and a warming hut. In the summer all the parks were manned with an activities director. (usually a high school/college person seeking summer work) They planned games, arts and crafts and other fun activities for all children that came to the parks. The middle school pool was used for open swim and swim lessons. The tennis courts were used to provide tennis lessons and the Stafford gym provided free gymnastics lessons. The city also transported kids to the city beach on certain days from the parks. The city of Plattsburgh department of public works maintained the parks and they were always well taken care of. We have lost all of that.

When thinking about improvements to the parks, please think about who will maintain the parks and if we can get back to providing any planned activities.

I visit the dog park daily and am saddened to see the fences leaning, gaps under the fence and doors not closing. One dog fenced in area has been totally abandoned and left to sit unused and not maintained as the brush is allowed to grow up. (What a waist) Another was just added next to it instead of maintaining or fixing the other. The dog park by the city beach should be looked at for design. It offers one fenced in area labeled for small dogs and the other big side for big dogs.

I think if we could add an all inclusive one time a day outdoor fitness class for all during the summer and early fall months that would be great. Maybe the YMCA would teach a class in the park since they are running the city gym now. How fun it would be to see seniors and juniors alike taking a class together.

Thank you all for the work you are doing to enhance our parks.