New pathway now open in Ballard Park in Westport

WESTPORT | It's official. The yellow caution tape is gone, so the new pathway in Ballard Park is now open for all. Pribble Excavating LLC began construction on Sept. 13 on the pathway that enters the park from Main Street and extends all the way to the Memorial Garden. Featuring bump-outs with picnic table seating, this accessibility project was designed to make exploring and enjoying the park easier and safer for all. Made from porous materials poured over a stone base, the pathway will now withstand future storms better. "This material is amazing," exclaimed Debbie Pastore, president of the Ballard Park Board of Directors. "And it feels so great to walk on." The next goal is to replace the remaining washed-out section of the path that extends down to the pavilion. Once the site of The Westport Inn, one of several grand hotels of the Adirondacks that was demolished in 1967, Ballard Park was established in 1989. In the early 2000s, the pavilion was built. Referred to as "a park for all seasons," Ballard Park is open to the public year-round. During the warmer months, besides enjoying Lake Champlain by swimming, kayaking, or canoeing, there are game nights, summer concerts, theatre performances, and more. During the winter, the hill is open for sledding and tubbing, and there's also an ice skating rink, with a nearby hut for warming up or changing in and out of skates. The park can be booked for special events, such as weddings or public community events. The Ballard Park Foundation is currently developing its master plan for the park's future. It's also seeking potential grant funding and planning future fundraisers. The work recently completed cost around $55,000, said Pastore, so more money will be needed not only to complete the remaining portion of the pathway, but also to make additional improvements to the park. "Our mission has always been to serve the community," said Pastore passionately. "We're doing this for the community." For more information or updates, visit ballardparkny.org.

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New pathway now open in Ballard Park in Westport

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