FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Town of Sullivan Awarded $646,099 NY PLAYS Grant for Sullivan Park Playground
SULLIVAN, NY — October 9, 2026 — The Town of Sullivan is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $646,099 through Governor Kathy Hochul’s New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) initiative to replace and expand the existing playground at Sullivan Park, located at 319 Lake Street in Chittenango, NY.
The grant will allow the Town to transform the aging playground into a larger, modern, inclusive and accessible recreational space designed to serve children of all abilities. The project will expand the existing footprint by approximately 30 percent, replace the current playground equipment, which is approximately 27 years old, and include improvements to the surrounding area and drainage system to support the expansion, enhance safety and create a more functional and welcoming recreational space for everyone.
The new playground will incorporate universally accessible equipment and sensory-rich play features, providing opportunities for physical, social, imaginative and developmental play. The design will help reduce barriers for children and caregivers with mobility or sensory differences while encouraging children with and without disabilities to interact, participate and enjoy the playground together.
NY PLAYS is part of Governor Hochul’s broader Unplug and Play initiative, which is expanding opportunities for children and families to spend time outdoors, be physically active and connect with one another. The $67.5 million NY PLAYS program supports municipalities and nonprofit organizations creating, expanding and renovating public playgrounds across New York State. The program is overseen by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY)
“This grant is a tremendous investment in the children and families of the Town of Sullivan,” said Supervisor Thomas Daviau. “We are excited to replace our aging playground with a modern facility where children of all abilities can play together, families can gather, and our community can continue to enjoy Sullivan Park for many years to come.”
Sullivan Park serves residents throughout the Town of Sullivan as well as families from surrounding communities and neighboring towns. More than 2,000 homes are located within walking distance of the park, while the park also provides recreational opportunities for thousands of additional Town residents.
Bringing this project forward has been a collaborative effort involving Town of Sullivan Parks and Recreation Director Lori Davies; Park Superintendent Louie Laplante; Grant Writer John Pinard; Town Highway Superintendent Andy Busa; the Town Board; Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District; and other valued community partners. The Town also completed a comprehensive assessment of the existing playground and carefully evaluated design options to ensure the new facility would provide the greatest possible benefit to the community. Through this combined effort, the Town developed a vision for a playground that will offer more opportunities for recreation, inclusion and family engagement.
“This grant represents an exciting opportunity for the Town of Sullivan, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make it possible,” said Supervisor Daviau. “The NY PLAYS grant will allow us to make a significant improvement to Sullivan Park — one that would have been very difficult for the Town to accomplish on its own. Most importantly, it will give our children and families a place where they can spend time together, enjoy the outdoors and make memories for years to come.”
The Town of Sullivan anticipates moving forward with the next steps of the project following completion of the required grant and project requirements. Construction of the new playground is expected to be completed by May 2027. The Town plans to close the playground at Sullivan Park on October 15, 2026, and will provide additional information regarding the project timeline and construction as details become available.
The Town of Sullivan is grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul for making this investment through NY PLAYS, as well as the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, DASNY, Madison County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors James J. Cunningham, Senator Joseph A. Griffo, Assemblyman Brian D. Miller and Village of Chittenango Mayor Louis Cianfrocco for their support of this important community project. The new Sullivan Park playground will create expanded opportunities for recreation and provide a welcoming, accessible destination where children and families can play, explore and grow together for generations to come.
