PARMA, N.Y. — The pandemic has put a strain on town budgets. Hilton Parma Parks and Recreation needs a community boost to help fund a budget shortfall for the new playground at Parma Town Park.

What You Need To Know

  • The playground at Parma Town Park is 25 years old

  • $25,000 is needed to bridge the budget shortfall

  • The new playground will be installed and ready for play in June

  • You can donate online at HPRecreation.org

Friends of Hilton Parma Parks and Rec started an online community fundraiser to help.

One of the playgrounds at Parma Town Park is 25 years old. There are rust spots and cracks. The town plans to tear it down and replace the aging playground this spring, but there's a budget shortfall of $25,000 to make it the all-inclusive playground they hoped for.

“These playground structures are easily the most used amenities in the park," said Tom Venniro, director of Hilton Parma Parks and Rec. "There’s no question about it. If you drive by here and it really doesn’t matter what time of year other than I guess when there’s snow on the ground, you are going to see people using these playgrounds and that was heightened tenfold during the pandemic. There was really nothing for people to do, so a park became kind of that safe haven and that place that people can go and feel safe and be out of their house and doing something. So this is kind of the epicenter of our community.”

A $5 or $10 donation is encouraged, and local businesses are invited to secure a corporate sponsorship. To donate, go to HPRecreation.org.

The new playground is expected to be installed and ready for action at the end of May or early June.