Friends of Fulton Parks

The Friends of Fulton Parks’ mission is to revitalize the Fulton city parks, in collaboration with the city and the community, for the overall health of the community. Their objectives are to make physical improvements to the parks, encourage community events in the parks, and generate funds to accomplish the objectives.

In 2014 the Friends of Fulton Parks launched promotional campaigns and fundraisers to revitalize the parks and rejuvenate a sense of community through them. They enlisted members of the community across the spectrum, from the municipality to businesses to organizations to individuals. Over 75 members and over 100 volunteers offered their time and resources toward the goal of updated playgrounds in the parks.

In 2015, the momentum continued with support from the Richard S. Shineman Foundation. Businesses happily hosted fundraisers for Hulett Park. Volunteers returned, and more came forward. The city, non-profits, contractors, businesses, and individuals worked together at the community build. Children in the neighborhood came to help and vowed to be responsible stewards of the playground. Two of three phases have been completed for the installation of new play equipment - a Skyport Climber and three additional play components. Phase 3 fundraising is ongoing, and installation will be determined by funds received.

Rehabilitating Recreation Park (adjacent to Lake Neatahwanta) is a three-phase project with the first two phases completed in 2015. Phase 1 consisted of replacing an obsolete swingset with a fitness area for ages 13 and older. Phase 2 improvements included restoration of the picnic shelter (pavilion). Friends of Fulton Parks is raising $295,000 (which will be matched by the State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation) to complete half of the Phase 3 restoration by autumn: A teen-focused play area unique to Central New York. Teens who have been involved in planning this project are waiting to see results. This project provides a unique and bold opportunity to bridge the gaps between generations. This is apparent in some of the teen statements such as “I can’t believe people are listening to us!”, “Is that the sidewalk we said we wanted?” and “Let me know if you need help with the ropes course.”

Other projects that took place in 2015 included installation of new pony spring riders donated by the Sunrise Rotary and repainting of the pavilion at Foster Park, new safety landing material at Voorhees Park and Hulett Park playgrounds, new signage and flower boxes at several parks, and many Sparkle-a-Park cleanups by over 35 different groups of volunteers for cleanup/beautification projects across the different parks in Fulton.