New Honeoye Playground Opens

The vision was years in the making and the planning spanned several months.

And from August 11 to 16, the vision and plan became a very real reality.

Honeoye Central School District welcomed dozens of volunteers to build its new playground that will provide fun and recreation for years to come. Working with Play By Design out of Ithaca, the  volunteers worked from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The work on Sunday started by 8 a.m. and by 5 p.m., the final walkthrough and inspection was taking place. 

Afterward, HCS Superintendent Natalie Pfluke and Board of Education President Tori Penrod-Clark addressed the volunteers that remained and then offered celebratory cake to mark completion of the playground. 

"After over a year of planning and working with our students to shape the vision, we watched the community bring that vision to life in just six incredible days," Superintendent Natalie Pfluke said. "The dedication, energy and pride our volunteers brought to the project was truly inspiring. This playground represents so much more than a place to play; it's a reflection of what can happen when our school and community come together. This is a gift to our students that they will enjoy for years to come, and I couldn't be more proud to have been a part of it."  

Through heat, rain, humidity and more heat, the dedicated volunteers stuck to the plan. Saws, drills, routers, levels and speed squares were put into use but it was the heart and muscle of everyone involved that elevates the new playground to its special status. 

The playground opened for play on September 8, the first day of school. Work remains to be done to add a gazebo, benches and a basketball half-court. 

The new playground is part of the 2024 Capital Improvement Project approved by district residents and replaces a playground that was built in 1994, also by community volunteers.