As construction continues for the new Crawford Library in Monticello, the process for a library park also moves forward. Reporter Jackson Wang has the details.
MONTICELLO, N.Y. -- An 11,000 square foot lot sits empty next to the construction of the new Crawford Library, but many in the village of Monticello are hoping to change that.
“Everybody really sees the outdoor space as an extension of the library itself, so there’s lots of great ideas for establishing areas where the library can do programs,” said Helen Budrock, of Sullivan Renaissance.
Residents are hoping to turn it into a park.
“Create it with community participation and involvement," said Mary Paige Lang-Clouse, Crawford Library Director. "We want it to be a space they want to come to.”
Over two dozen people gathered on Saturday to discuss designs for the future park.
“I hope that our process allows the library to expand beyond the walls and do more outside and make that connection,” said Denise Frangipane, a Bethel resident.
Some design ideas included game tables, a fountain, shaded seating areas and a performance space.
“Specifically to create a performance space where you could have programs, maybe music and other types of performances both for the library itself and for the community to participate in,” said Frangipane.
The project will be funded through donations as many hope the park will attract more people to the village.
“We see the library as really being an anchor for downtown Monticello and really being a key to Monticello’s future of revitalization,” Budrock said.
“I’m really excited that the community is excited. Everybody is interested and they want this to really be a space that people feel good about coming too, and that’s a great thing for the Village of Monticello,” said Lang-Clouse.
All the ideas for this park will be put into one final design presented to the library board later this season. As for construction, that is expected to begin early in 2016.