While many us of have greatly enjoyed the growth and beautification of downtown Glens Falls and City Park over the last 7+ years, it has sparked even more desire to continue to improve Glens Falls: A place where kids can enjoy swinging or playing on a jungle gym, where children can run and splash in a water fountain, and where 9-5ers can spend their lunch break away at a quaint Parisian-esque bistro table taking in the beauty of the City Park. Rhianna Hogan-Cerro, Hudson Falls native and mother of two, has set out to make this vision a reality – something each and every one of us could enjoy over and over again.
This summer, Hogan-Cerro, a fashion designer from FIT, will soon be opening her own shop and design studio in downtown Glens Falls. In choosing this location, she quickly realized she wanted a space where she and her husband could take their two daughters to play; as she looked closely at City Park, she soon realized the potential it had to become an even greater multi-use meeting place for every age to enjoy for hours on end. Idea after idea came to Rhianna as her passion for the park grew: family-friendly improvements and additions to City Park that could make a huge impact to the park itself AND downtown Glens Falls as a whole. After much thought and research, she decided to put a plan together and give our city park a bit of a face lift. Check out my conversation with her below, to find out more details.
Q: What inspired you to propose a redevelopment of Glens Falls City Park?
A: Well I’m a local girl and my children will be going to school in Glens Falls soon so I wanted to invest something into the area and see it grow. I’m starting a new business downtown and I’d love to have a place nearby that’s family friendly. Right now there’s tons of stuff for older generations and young adults, but I want to see it include things to do for children too.
Q: How do you feel a new park would help Downtown Glens Falls both socially and economically?
A: Socially, I want to see a place where co-workers can get out together and relax and enjoy their lunch break. I think it would also make for a safer downtown. The more people who use it, the more sets of eyes there are – safety in numbers. Economically, I think it would improve downtown shopping, as whole families will come down and take the day to enjoy the park and stroll the streets.
Q: What, to you, makes a park such a great place for a community?
A: A successful park needs to appeal to families. I think fencing is very important. There’s been numerous times I’ve seen kids running around the park and the next thing you know they’re running out into the road. I also think A playground would be a big draw. It doesn’t have to be a traditional playground, but aesthetically appealing with features that reflect the culture of downtown. I think sculptures would be a great idea – something interactive for kids – and a beautiful water feature. To be successful, there needs to be reasons to go to a space.
Q: Are you from the area originally?
A: Yes I grew up in Hudson Falls, then went to ACC {now Suny Adirondack} for 2 years, then proceeded to the Fashion Institute of Technology where I got a degree in Fashion Design, worked in the city for 5 or 6 years.
Q: What would be your favorite aspect of the new park, if completed?
A: For me, it’s the playground with the water. Water just naturally attracts people. If there were a fountain it would add ambient noise. On a hot day, it could be a summer destination. It’s just another option -we lose people in the summer time. It would keep people here.
Q: Do you anticipate support from the city and the community in this project?
A: Yes I have talked to the {Glens Falls} Business Improvement District; they have spent a lot of money to get the park to where it is today. That meeting went very well. The next step is to talk to the city council on Tuesday. I’ve talked to many mother’s and shopkeepers and everyone has giving me positive feedback about having a park here.
Q: What do you think is the biggest hurdle to get this accomplished?
A: I think money is going to be the biggest hurdle. We have been looking into grants for this, and I’m happy to do as many fundraisers as we need. I don’t know if there is money set aside for this but that’s something I’ll learn more about on Tuesday. I think, in the long run, this will pay Glens Falls back greatly.
Q: How long do you think this project might take?
A: I think it would probably need to be done in pieces. First we could put in some of the playground and maybe a fence. Then put in the social space and the sculptures. It will take a couple years.
Q: Are there any other changes you’d like to see or other projects you have in mind?
A: Right now, I am focusing on my store and the city park has been my passion; enhancing what we already have – what people have already done to Downtown has been great. The next step is to make downtown Glens Falls more family friendly. Let the children play!
