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From left to right, State Senator Dan Stec, Plattsburgh City Councilors Jennifer Talon and Elizabeth Gibbs, former State Senator Betty Little and State Congressman Billy Jones cut a ribbon during the grand opening of the new Betty Little Arts Park in downtown Plattsburgh on Saturday. (Photo provided – Fernando Alba)
PLATSBURGH – The City of Plattsburgh celebrated the grand opening of Betty Little Arts Park on Saturday, officially kicking off the Million-Dollar Downtown Revitalization Initiative project.
The park’s namesake, former State Senator Betty Little, was in attendance, along with city, town and state officials.
“I am absolutely blown away by it all. “ said Little, 80, who served in state government for 18 years. “It’s so much more than I expected.”
The park, located between Margaret Street and Durkee Street and whose construction has started, features local art exhibits, a playground, outdoor seating, bike racks and a water fountain.
Brendon Palmer-Angell’s Michael P. Anderson mural, which opened in July, watches over the park in the nearby Westelcom building.
one of the art installations in the new arts park, located across from the Durkee Street parking lot. (Photo provided – Fernando Alba)
The arts park, which cost just under $ 1.13 million to build, got funding from New York’s DRI, an economic development program that aims to transform inner-city neighborhoods into vibrant centers that help strengthen businesses and the local economy.
Mayor Chris Rosenquest said he believes Betty Little Arts Park will do just that.
“We know that art is an economic engine. It builds the community. This reinforces the quality of life ”, he said. “We must and will continue to invest and support the arts in our community. “
Little also said that there is a need for art in a community.
“We need art in our lives” she said. “It has the ability to trigger thinking like this place will, generate empathy, create dialogue and initiate new ideas.”
“Art has always been part of our lives. But this art park is something special. There is no entry ticket. There is no closed door to open, and there are no limited hours to enjoy this park ”, she continued.
State Assembly Member Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake), who called Little a friend and mentor, said the dedication was well deserved.
“They couldn’t have honored a better person for this”, he said of Little, who served seven years in the state assembly before becoming a state senator.
“She was collaborative. She is in partnership with people. She’s formed a consensus to get things done for the North Country, and we couldn’t ask for a better partner in this area over the years.
State Senator Dan Stec (R-Queensbury), who was elected to Little’s seat last November after his retirement, agreed with Jones and said Little’s life of service in the area has left a heritage.
“Betty spent a quarter of a century doing this job, and she did it well. Not only for the town and city of Plattsburgh and the County of Clinton, but for all of the north of the country ”, he said.
The inauguration of the park was crowned with a ribbon cutting and was followed by musical performances.
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