Dutchman’s Landing has a new playground thanks to Fortnightly

CATSKILL―Kids at Dutchman’s Landing now have brand-new playground equipment thanks to the generosity of the Fortnightly Club of Catskill.

The roughly $80,000 cost was covered by the local nonprofit through its playground budget along with a $20,000 donation from Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

Over the years, the club has paid to build, upgrade or expand all three playgrounds in Catskill.

“We funded the entire piece and all the other pieces of equipment at Dutchman’s Landing, Elliott Park and Ricky Cramer in Jefferson Heights,” said Teri Weiss, chairwoman of the Fortnightly Club of Catskill.

“But we couldn’t so it without the help of our sponsors like Central Hudson and all of the local businesses that have sponsored the Rip Van Winkle Wine, Brew and Beverage Festival over the past 19 years,” she added.

Slated for this Saturday, May 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the festival at the Historic Catskill Point features unlimited tastings of wine, craft beer and beverages, as well as local food and craft vendors, and live local music.

“The proceeds from the festival go entirely to our Catskill playground budget,” Weiss noted.

The club decided it was time to replace the equipment at Dutchman’s Landing after it was brought to their attention that one of the slides had a few cracks, Weiss explained.

"Safety and community go hand-in-hand,” said Linda Selcanin, regional affairs liaison for Central Hudson.

“So, when we learned the slide at Dutchman’s Landing was damaged and unsafe, we wanted to do our part. We are excited that families and children will be able to use the new equipment for many years to come,” said Selcanin.

The Village of Catskill Public Works Department assisted with installation of the new equipment and 64 holes were dug with the help of the town and county.

“Fortnightly is an amazing organization that works very hard putting together events like the Wine, Brew and Beverage Festival happening this Saturday,” said Catskill Village President Natasha Law.

“It is super important to show up and support events like these because they are what funds recreational things like this new park set,” she added.

The festival this weekend will hopefully raise the money to install new playground equipment at Elliott Park, Law said.

Founded in 1932, the Fortnightly Club of Catskill is organized exclusively for community charitable and educational purposes. For more information, visit www.fortnightlyevents.org.