Betty Little Arts Park opened with a splash

PLATTSBURGH | Former Sen. Betty Little served in the New York State Assembly for seven years before being elected as senator in November 2002, where she served for 18 years. During her time in office Little has helped the North Country in countless ways. To honor her legacy the City of Plattsburgh dedicated an art park to her. Formally known as the Westelcom Park, located on green space between Margaret Street and Durkee Street, the Betty Little Arts Park was officially dedicated to Betty Little in a ceremony on Sept. 11. Community members and politicians from near and far gathered together to help celebrate this special occasion. City of Plattsburgh Mayor Chris Rosenquest kicked the event off. "Today we mark one of the most visible projects that has been completed out of the, a significant amount of money that the city received for downtown revitalization, and here it is in the completion," said Rosenquest. This new and improved park was made possible with funding provided through the New York State Downtown Revitalization and the support of the Governor's office. It features outdoor seating, sculptures, new landscaping and lighting, a more accessible walkway, a splash pad, and the city's second drinking fountain, the first being located at the farmer's market. "Wow, what a beautiful day to celebrate this wonderful park that we have here in downtown Plattsburgh and everybody should be so proud of what is going on here and what is being accomplished today," Assemblyman Billy Jones said during his remarks. Jones went on to talk about his time spent working with Little, and her spirit of getting things done. Sen. Stec piggybacked off of Jones' comment during his remarks and also talked about their time working together. Stec said, "I couldn't agree more with what's been said before that I can't think of a better person to dedicate this park to." Little was the next to speak and her amazement of what was being dedicated to her was clear in her voice. "We need art in our lives because it has the ability to trigger reflection, as this place will, generate empathy, create dialogue, and to initiate new ideas. It really helps us to be open," Little went on to say "It's beyond belief." Outside Art: Plattsburgh Public Art Project co-founders Julia Devine and Amy Guglielmo were the next to speak. "To me, it tells a story of a community that not only values its place but its people and I think that's really, really important," Devine said on what the park means to her. Walter Early, Andrew McGill, Corky Corrado, Peter Allen, Andrew Light, and Brendon Palmer-Angell, who created the Reach for the Stars: Michael Anderson mural, are all artists with their art featured in the park. The Sun caught up with local artist McGill at the ceremony to talk about his sculpture featured in the park. The cacti made out of PVC Pipe, wind spinners, and door stops were created by McGill. "Cactaphory" as he calls his sculpture is an interactive piece made to push the boundaries of art and has been a vision he's had in his head for a very long time. "Art is so unapproachable and static that you can't really play with it and touch it," McGill said. "Cactaphory" is a fully interactive sculpture made to be touched. The spines on the cacti are made up of door stops. When they're flicked they make a distinctive ringing sound that many associate with childhood. The base of the sculpture is a rubber pallet with a frame and sand to get the desert feel and also provides another interactive element to the sculpture. "Let's keep going. Let's keep painting the town," Guglielmo said in her closing remarks. The Betty Little Arts Park is now officially open for the public to enjoy. The park is fully accessible from both Margaret Street and Durkee Street with convenient parking located on both streets as well.

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Betty Little Arts Park opened with a splash

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