Amherst – Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst) announced on Friday that she secured $500,000 in funding for a new playground at the Town of Amherst’s Kingsgate Park.

Assemblymember McMahon was joined by Amherst Deputy Supervisor Angela Marinucci to announce the half million dollars will go toward building a new playground that will replace the former equipment that was over three decades old and causing safety concerns.

“Amherst’s parks and playgrounds are among our community’s most valuable assets, and ensuring they remain safe, modern, and well-maintained for years to come is essential for the children and families who enjoy them,” said Assemblymember McMahon. “I have been working with the town to identify facilities in need of support, and I thank Supervisor Lavin, Deputy Supervisor Marinucci, and the Town of Amherst for their partnership. Earlier this summer I worked with Speaker Heasite to secure more than $1 million for improvements at Briarhurst Park, and I am proud to announce that we were able to secure additional state resources to support a new playground at Kingsgate. I look forward to its installation so neighborhood families can continue enjoying this wonderful space for years to come.”

“Thank you to Assemblymember Karen McMahon for securing funding for a new playground at Kingsgate Park,” said Deputy Supervisor Marinucci. “We are excited to start the process of bringing a new playground to the neighborhood. Parks enrich the community, and by providing spaces to play and explore, we create a stronger Amherst. I look forward to returning to Kingsgate in the not too distant future to see children playing on and loving the new playground.”

Assemblymember McMahon and Deputy Supervisor Marinucci also explained that the community will be involved in the formation of the new Kingsgate playground, and encouraged local residents to take part in the community input process, which will begin with the Town Youth and Recreation department hosting a community playground planning meeting by the end of the year.

“Community input will be vital throughout this process. To create a new playground that truly serves the neighborhood, we need to hear directly from the people who use and enjoy the park every day about what they would like to see. It was clear that an upgrade was needed, but ensuring the community has a voice in shaping the park’s future is invaluable,” McMahon said.