Registration open for Derby summer camp located behind Bradley School

 

Splash Car Wash in Derby donates $4K to Bradley School playground project

Photo by Jean Falbo-Sosnovich

DERBY - Bradley School students and staff gathered recently in the school gym as a Splash Car Wash representative presented a $4K donation to the school's playground project.

Read about the event in a story by Jean Falbo-Sosnovich in the Valley Independent Sentinel. 

 

Little Free Library grand opening slated at Bradley School playground in Derby

Ansonia Public Works crew installs ice skating rink at Linett Park

Sharing from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

Ice skating rink at Linett Park in Ansonia./ Photo from Facebook 

"Public Works is finalizing the installation of the ice skating rink at Linett Park as part of the upcoming Winter Playground. The 75'x65' [4,875 square foot] rink, when frozen, will accommodate ice skaters of all ages. 
"Last weekend, the expanded hill for sledding debuted with more than 50 kids enjoying last Saturday's snowfall. An elaborate grand opening of the park will be announced once Mother Nature cooperates."

Ansonia to open winter playground at Linett Park

Sharing from City of Ansonia Facebook page:

ANSONIA WINTER PLAYGROUND OPENS SATURDAY

"With the weather outside soon to be frightful, Ansonia Winter Playground at Linnet Park will enjoy a SOFT opening weekend for sledding only. If interested to test out the expansive hill this weekend, please do and report back with photos!

"Stay tuned for a more elaborate Opening Day event that will include ice skating (cold permitting), sledding, fire pit and more."

Mayor 'Santa Clausetti' of Ansonia reviews sled giveaway contest entries

Submitted photo

"The entry deadline has arrived for the Great Ansonia Sled Give-A-Way Contest to celebrate the anticipated opening of Ansonia Winter Playground at Linett Park. 
"Pictured is Mayor Santa Clausetti looking over the more than 300 contest entries, from mostly good boys and girls, received at City Pole.

"Santa Clausetti will be selecting up to 50 winners of brand new Flexible Flyer Sleds or Flying Saucers.
"Contest winners will be contacted by Rudolph or Frosty next week with instructions on where and when to collect their prize.

"Additional details on Ansonia Winter Playground opening to be announced shortly. 
"The playground will include a 250-foot long sledding hill, 2,250-square foot ice skating rink, fire pit, flood lights, and weekend snack truck."

This is a release from City Hall.

Sharing photo of school in Derby, just for fun

When I went to Irving School in Derby Wednesday to take a photo of the playground (see previous post) I was struck by the late afternoon light playing off the school building. 
I thought it was dramatic so I'm sharing the photo, just for fun.

Newsletter features scarves on trees in Ansonia, playground upgrade in Derby

Dear readers,

This week's Valley Voice newsletter is out. 
We feature a request by Irving School to support a playground upgrade, and an Ansonia shop seeking to spread warmth this winter to needy neighbors.

Please click here to read all about it.

~ Patti and Ralph

Ribbon-cutting held for playground at Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Saturday morning for the new playground at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center. The playground was designed by Larry Janesky, at right, owner of Connecticut Basement Systems in Seymour. He built it with the help of his employees, and members of the Valley United Way Corporate Volunteer Council.

Pictured from left: Pat Tarasovic, director, Corporate Volunteer Council, Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti, state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge, state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, Alison Rubelmann, Ansonia Nature Center director. The ribbon was cut by Cecilia Tarasovic, left, and Kellie German Santiago, who cut the ribbon for the first playground built 25 years ago.


Stay tuned for more in an upcoming issue of The Valley Voice. 

Ansonia Nature Center to host community day; park upkeep help needed

Ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for playground

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti and Valley United Way’s Corporate Volunteer Council Director Pat Tarasovic will participate in “Take your Child to the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center's Community Park Day" ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Sept. 17.

Join nature center staff and volunteers as they restore some of the grounds around the beautiful playground, continuing a long tradition of community involvement at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road.

Kids can play and celebrate the fun, new equipment and structures, while family members participate in groundskeeping! 

Brush clearing, raking, and pruning will take place; make sure to bring gloves, hat, and bug spray, and help beautify the area surrounding the playground, too.

For information call 203-736-1053.

This post is taken from a press release from the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center.

Newsletter features new playground at Ansonia Nature Center

Dear readers,

Our latest Valley Voice newsletter is out.

We write about the beautiful new playground at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, the ADA additions, and more.

Here is the link:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/329bf6_beb29899cde94bae9a5c548abfa7b438.pdf

Happy Reading!

Kids get down to business at Ansonia Nature Center playground

Tiffany Poma of Seymour helps her daughter, Ava, 3, at the newly-constructed playground at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center on Monday. Her son, Evan, 6, is waiting his turn on the ring climber. 
The playground was built over the weekend by volunteers from Basement Systems of Seymour and members of the Valley United Way's Corporate Volunteer Council.  

Here's Evan taking his turn on the new equipment.



Stay tuned for more in an upcoming issue of the Valley Voice newsletter.

Basement Systems employees begin The Big Build at Ansonia Nature Center

Basement Systems, Inc. CEO Larry Janesky and his employees lay the groundwork Friday for a new playground at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center.

Members of the Valley United Way's Corporate Volunteer Council will volunteer Saturday and Sunday to construct the wood and metal play scape.

The 25-year old playground was demolished in April after a child was injured by a large splinter. 
The play scape will feature five towers connected by bridges, a giant slide, and an accessible area for children with disabilities, among other amenities.
Work is slated to be completed by Sunday evening.



Stay tuned for a story in The Valley Voice newsletter next week. 

Cassetti encourages volunteers for playground build at Ansonia Nature Center

Employees of Basement Systems to build playground at Ansonia Nature Center

Community service project scheduled in July

I took this photo April 19 when the playground was being demolished. The wooden playscape had been determined hazardous after a child was injured by a large splinter.

ANSONIA - Valley United Way’s Corporate Volunteer Council is celebrating its 20^th anniversary in fine tradition, by making the greatest positive impact in the Valley.  

When Alison Rubelmann, Executive Director of the Ansonia Nature Center, was guest speaker at a recent CVC monthly meeting, and explained the epic need for help in building their playground, the CVC knew it had to respond

At about the same time, Basement Systems of Seymour expressed interest in a major community service project for which its employees could contribute.

“When Basement Systems reached out to me to ask for ideas for a major project their company could tackle, I immediately thought of Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center, because their playground had been unexpectedly taken down; there was a mammoth need for a new playground,” CVC Director Pat Tarasovic said.

So Larry Janesky’s going to lead the gigantic effort to build a new playground because, well, that’s how Larry models his everyday life. Larry is a leader. He lives his life fully, by welcoming opportunities to share his passion and vision. People truly value his inspiration, and it is in this spirit that his army of volunteers will march onto the ANRC site and build.

“Basement Systems is happy to support the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center’s effort to rebuild its playground,” said Larry, CEO and founder of the Seymour-based company. 

“We know this is going to help a lot of kids, so we can’t wait to get our employees out there and get to work.”

The playground is scheduled to be rebuilt over one weekend in July. 

Other CVC companies will join together and lend their support by doing some trail work and other volunteer projects on the Nature Center grounds while Larry’s team of talented volunteers provides the leadership, muscle and building expertise. 

At the end of the weekend, a new playground will be standing, one built to last the next 25 years.

As the sun sets, the volunteers will walk away with the greatest pride, knowing that they have strengthened their community and given the gift of caring. Then, there will be those priceless smiles on our children’s faces, and those will never fade.

Basement Systems is another in a long line of companies to contribute enhancements to the Valley community. Fellow CVC member companies such as GE, Unilever, Prudential, Pitney Bowes, Nielsen Company and Perkin Elmer have spent countless hours clearing trails, building fences, gardens, and swales, and spreading mulch to improve the appearance and quality of life in the Valley.

This is a press release from Basement Systems in Seymour.

Dine out, support fund to rebuild playground at Ansonia Nature Center

*Sharing this information from the Prendergast PTO Facebook page. 

Print the coupon and take it with you to the restaurant June 14 to help the playground fund.

Ansonia slates community tag sale, seeks donations for nature center playground

Ansonia Nature Center plans playground fundraiser at Earth Day celebration

This was the scene Tuesday morning as the quarter-century old playground was being razed.

ANSONIA - After the wooden playscape at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center was demolished Tuesday a GoFundMe site was set up by a local resident (https://www.gofundme.com/y6zttytg). 

It has already received some donations, “but there is still a big funding gap,” said Alison Rubelmann, the Center’s Director. 

“We’d like to put in a beautiful, ADA-compliant, safe playground that has cool features, like slides and a giant hollow log, but the cost is currently out of our reach at $200,000.”

The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center is owned by the city, but the classes offered, and the animals and their care, are supplemented by the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. 

FANCI welcomes donations earmarked for a new playground; they may be mailed to FANCI, 10 Deerfield Lane, Ansonia, 06401.

“There is no one single funding source for the new playground,” said Rubelmann. "We have anticipated needing to raise funds, and have applications currently with different funding agencies for part of the funds. However, these are not guaranteed to be awarded, and, they will not be enough to build a new playground without lots of community donations.” 

The Center’s annual Earth Day Festival on April 30 will be a major fundraiser for the new playground, with bake sales, vendors, food trucks, free activities and hikes, and live music from Rattlin’ Windows. 

Community members are invited to attend and support the playground fund.

Facebook: Ansonia Nature and Recreation       

Twitter: Go Outside@AnsoniaNatureCT

Webpage: www.ansonianaturecenter.org          

GoFundMe: GoFundme.com/y6zttytg 

For more information contact Alison Rubelmann, Director, 203-736-1053.

This post is based on a press release from the nature center.

Playground at Ansonia Nature Center being demolished today

It was so sad to see a backhoe knocking down the wooden playscape that has been a focal point at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center for a quarter century.

Stay tuned for more in this week's issue of The Valley Voice newsletter.

Update: Sharing this post from the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center Facebook page:


"Please donate directly to our 501(c)(3), FANCI (Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center) for the NEW Playground. Our donation page accepts PayPal, credit cards and of course we welcome cash and checks earmarked for the playground replacement.

http://ansonianaturecenter.org/support/donation/

"We thank any and all donors for their efforts on our behalf!"

Playground at Ansonia Nature Center closed

Sharing post from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:


Updated post: "Important Notice: For the safety of the residents of the City of Ansonia, the playground at the Ansonia Nature Center will be closed to the public effective immediately due to splintering wood on parts of the playground. We will keep you posted with any further updates and we thank you for your cooperation."

Original post: "Important Notice: For the safety of the residents of the City of Ansonia, the playground at the Ansonia Nature Center will be closed to the public effective immediately. We will keep you posted with any further updates and we thank you for your cooperation."