New playground in New City honors late councilman
Clarkstown officials opened a new and improved, all-inclusive, playground on Zukor Road in New City on Friday in honor of the late Councilman Mark Woods
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Clarkstown officials opened a new and improved, all-inclusive playground on Zukor Road in the New City section of town.
It's named in honor of Councilman Mark Woods, who had come up with the idea before his unexpected death.
The late councilman wanted this project for local families in large part because of his relationship with an uncle who had a brittle bone disease that left him in a wheelchair.
The 8,000 square foot play area features a number of different ways for kids of all ages and abilities to have fun, like a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round and seesaw, a ramp to go up the playset and a board for nonverbal kids to communicate.
Woods's family was there to see his dream become a reality.
"It makes my heart feel so full. We are so blessed as a family to have something to remember my uncle by and all of his efforts and everything," said Delany Kansy, Woods's niece.
Clarkstown officials say this is one of the largest all-inclusive playgrounds in the county.
The town also unveiled a new plaque for Woods that is near the playground.
Dozens of people were there to honor him and his legacy.
"This playground and memorial will be here as a testament to this very good and very decent man," said Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann.
"When Mark talked about this, it was to give the community an accessible place to play and be worry-free," said Carlos Martinez, the executive director of an organization called BRIDGES.
"I know his memory will always be a blessing on this community and this nation," said. Rep. Mike Lawler.
Before his time on the town board, Woods served in the Army, NYPD, and helped support veterans through BRIDGES.
