PITCHING IN Christine Routledge and some of the volunteers take a break during the initial clearing of Riverside Park, a resource that will benefit from a Sullivan Renaissance Silver Feather award. Routledge applied for the $50K grant in 2022, and news of the award was shared with Manor Ink. Provided photo
Roscoe takes major Renaissance award
$50K to go for park upgrade, pathways
By Angie Hund | Manor Ink
Roscoe, NY – Sullivan Renaissance has awarded its 2023 Silver Feather grant to the Town of Rockland to fund a renovation of Riverside Park in Roscoe.
Councilwoman Christine Routledge, a local banker and prominent personality in this hamlet, is the primary mover behind the project with the support of several local businesses. The $50,000 grant will fund the creation of a dog park and disc golf course within Roscoe, along with other improvements to the existing park and trail, creating a walking path connecting the Roscoe Central School athletic fields with Junction Pool on the Willowemoc Creek.
Routledge said she had received funding for a seasonal internship to help clean litter in the park, and along Stewart Avenue in Roscoe and Main Street in Livingston Manor. She then came up with the idea of a larger project to help restore the park, which had become overgrown with knotweed and had undeniably been neglected through the years.
“I was very gratified and amazed by the support of these businesses and individuals – all for no cost.”
Having two dogs of her own, Routledge felt people in Roscoe with dogs needed a nice place to let them play, and the community would benefit by having a nicely restored walking trail along the banks of the Willowemoc. This led her to take a more expansive view of what might be possible, with the support of Rockland Supervisor Rob Eggleton.
Revicki Excavating was the first to step forward, donating their time to level the ground and remove the mass of knotweed that had overgrown the park. Buchholz Landscaping donated their time and equipment for spreading grass seed and hay on the cleared areas. Klinger & Son, Seekamp Stone, Ryder Enterprises and Land & Water Realty also contributed needed supplies and manpower. “I was very gratified and amazed by the support of these businesses and individuals – all for no cost,” said Routledge.
Routledge added that once the plans started to take shape, she was encouraged by Eggleton to apply for the grant. Shannon Cilento of Sullivan Renaissance also offered enthusiastic support.
Looking toward the future, Routledge has even bigger plans. Ultimately she would like to see the creation of a five-mile walking-and-biking trail in and around Roscoe, as well as the construction of sidewalks and bike lanes along Rockland Road.
Routledge hopes to see work start on Riverside Park this year. The dog park will be an enclosed area with separate spaces for larger and smaller dogs, both with access to the creek. New vegetation will be planted for visual appeal and to help preserve the area.
Routledge also mentioned the need for volunteers to help with plantings and with the maintenance and clean up of Riverside Park. Interested individuals may contact her at croutledge3@gmail.com.