HECTOR, NY (607NewsNow) — The Hector Playground Project (HPP) is creating a safe, inclusive space for kids and families next to the Schuyler Strikers home field.

A recent project, fundraising started in July of this year at the Hector Family A-Fair and earned the project $12,000. Having raised over $52,000 in five months of fundraising, Hector Playground Project Chair Jen Fazzary is hoping to reach $100,000 by the end of 2025. Co-owning Scale House Brewery with her husband, they moved from Jersey City in 2021 and jumped into the community with both feet.

“We have a ‘by the community, for the community’ mentality for this project because we want the playground to be accessible and all-encompassing. Ramps, ground-level play equipment, areas for younger kids and older kids, flooring instead of woodchips that can be used for kids with different ability levels, quieter, sensory friendly areas — we want to do this once and do it right,” says Fazzary.

To help speed up the fundraising process, HPP has received their first donation match initiative from Shea’s Play Fund. Established in memory of Shea Thomas Callanan by his family in 2024, the fund’s goal is to “enhance play in all of the places he loved, and wherever the world is lacking” and will match up to $25,000 in donations until December 31st, 2025.

The playground’s location will give it the opportunity to be part of a community hub as a result of its close proximity to the Valois Logan Hector Volunteer Fire Department and Schuyler Strikers home soccer field.

“Lots of families spend hours here because of the soccer field and the fire department, so people seem to be excited about it. Between the wine trail and breweries that are popular in the area, there are a lot of adult-centered activities, so the playground will provide something for all ages and can help parents out a bit while they spend time at their kids’ soccer games.”

Hoping to break ground in the summer of 2026, the playground will most likely be built in phases and will be fenced in, have a half basketball court, seating, hopefully have a waterline, and will also include a gratitude fence with plaques for people who donate a minimum of $1,000, though all donations big or small are appreciated and welcome.

Learn more about the Hector Playground Project here and how to donate on their Zeffy here.