Meet the Highview Playground Steering Committee

The steering committee and many subcommittees have been meeting for months and the hard work has paid off because Design Day’s finally here. Here’s a pat on the back for the steering committee and a few words from a few of the members to the community:

President of the Steering Committee

My two boys attend Highview Elementary School. My husband, Danny, and I have been a resident of Nanuet since 1995. Danny owns Aldan Press in Bardonia and I am also the President of the Nanuet Elementary PTA. We both have a strong sense of community and are a part of several organizations.

Danny is a manager of our son's Nanuet Little League baseball team and is also on the board of the NLL.  He is a member of the Clarkstown Sunrise Rotary, on the Board of Home Aides of Rockland and is a 40 under 40 recipient.

I am the Elementary PTA President, teach CCD and a Eucharistic Minister at St. Anthony's and a former Cub Scout Leader for my son's den.

We live walking distance from the playground and we have been bringing our kids to play there since they were in strollers.  It was a place where my kids made friends at an early age and now attend school with those same kids and I formed friendships with the moms.  

It's a wonderful community place for both parents and children to gather and spend some fun times.  My kids were so upset when they heard it was coming down so when I was asked to be President of the Steering Committee I knew it was something I needed to do, not only for my kids but for everyone in the community.

As we prepare for Design Day, the excitement is overwhelming! My house is a buzz with all the boys' ideas and the schools are full of playground "buzz"!  I can't wait to see what the kids have to say on Tuesday and to see the sketch unveiled.  It will be a time that we all will remember and I'm so glad that I am a part of it all.

Vice President of the Steering Committee

We have two children in the Nanuet schools, one in Highview and one in Miller.  We moved to Nanuet in June of 2009 and access to that great Playground wasn't the main reason but was a definite factor as we shopped around.  We're very active in the Community—sports teams, PTA, etc.—and we like to frequent Nanuet- and Community-based stores.

We try to teach our kids that everyone can make a difference, so joining the effort to re-build the landmark Playground seemed like a great way to lead by example.

Treasurer of the Steering Committee

I have two boys in the Nanuet Schools, one in Highview and one in Miller. I graduated from Nanuet schools and my kindergarten classroom now houses the Highview School library, where the playground steering committee meets!

I was stunned and saddened when the playground came down in November.  My boys and I spent a lot of time there and made many friends. I really wanted to help in any way that I could to rebuild the playground, so I joined the steering committee. I especially wanted to help out with the design of the park, to make sure there was lots of fun stuff for the kids. There was also a need for a treasurer, so I volunteered my experience as a CPA.

We have been meeting regularly since November and it has been a lot of work trying to organize ourselves and map out a plan for the rebuild from scratch. It is not a perfect process, but everyone is trying their best and using their strengths to get this playground built as soon as possible. 

So much has changed since the last build: the building supplies are much improved and longer lasting and technology has improved communication drastically with the internet and email. It has enabled us to get a lot done in just five months. If our fundraising goes well, we expect to rebuild the playground on Columbus Day weekend in October 2011. 

I encourage every family in Nanuet to buy a brick paver for the new playground if they can.  As I collect the brick paver order forms, I enjoy reading the engravings that people are choosing for their bricks! Some are clever and seem to contain ‘inside jokes.’ Many list the year their child(ren) graduates or graduated and some include clip art with sports, hobbies or other symbols. Many simply list their family name as a lasting legacy to the Highview playground and their time in Nanuet. I recognize many of the families from my own school days in Nanuet whose children have grown.

I am amazed and touched every week when I unfold the crunched up dollars from our donation buckets, just how much this playground means to the community and how much this community cares for its children.  Nanuet is a very special community and I feel very lucky to be a part of this committee.  I look forward to working with the children in the schools on Design Day this Tuesday and seeing the rough sketch of the new playground later on that evening at the Community Event.  Please come out Tuesday evening and be a part of what promises to be a really fun part of the rebuild project!

PR Co-Chair of the Steering Committee

I grew up in Nanuet and I was eight years old the first time the playground was built. I have six nieces and nephews that currently live in Nanuet all under the age of six. I am a Nanuet real estate agent and I have learned that having a great community amenity like the playground is very important to families moving into our area.

My favorite part about this project is that everyone is encouraged to participate. If there is anyone that hasn’t gotten involved yet, its not too late.  Don’t be shy! You will be welcomed with open arms. Ask how you can help or tell the steering committee how you would like to help.  I recently told my 4-year-old nephew I was on my way to a Highview Playground meeting. When I returned from the meeting 90 minutes later he responded by saying "oh good, you finished building the playground, can we go there and play now?” That's a moment I will remember forever. 

It’s fascinating to know we are all involved in a project that the community will look back on 20 years later and remember fondly. I am also looking forward to walking through the new playground and finding the brick paver with my name and my fiancée Amanda's name.  The paver will be extra special to us since we will be building the playground together as newly-weds.

PR Co-Chair of the Steering Committee

I'm a Nanuet Alumni and have been a Nanuet Resident for 40 years. I have three children that have been, are currently and will attend the elementary schools: Past—Sean, 11; Now—Shannon, 7; Future—Shea, 1 1/2.

I have often been asked or have questioned what my motivation is and why would I volunteer for such a huge project. All I can say is that it only takes one person who cares and who steps up. The rippling cause and effect that follow is profound.

I am leaving my children and their children something that will last a lifetime.

Design Committee Chair

We're so excited about Design Day. I was part of this process 20 years ago, as a child, and now I'm proud to be able to make it possible for another group of children. Design Day is when the architects will come into the elementary schools, gather ideas from the students, draw up the first design and reveal it to the public in a community celebration that night. I encourage everyone to come out to the evening celebration and be a part of this playground project.

Children’s Committee Chair

I have lived in Nanuet for 31 years and have been a teacher at Miller school for over 20 years. My three children all attended Nanuet Schools and my family worked on the Highview Playground Project 20 years ago.

I am proud to have worked on this project 20 years ago.  I know that this community can come together once again to build a safe place for all of our children to play and friendships to be made.

Materials and Tools Committee Chair

DJC Enterprises, a licensed and insured contractor, has been serving Rockland County homeowners since 1995. They have completed home remodeling projects from simple bathroom renovations to full-scale home remodels. They are known for their high quality craftsmanship, honest and accurate proposals, and on-time customer service.

They were the first energy-star builder in Rockland County and continue to be on the cutting edge of "green technology." 

As the owner of DJC Enterprises, I’m a Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Green Professional, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Certified Lead Renovator as well as past President of the Rockland County Builders and Remodelers Association and a Board Member for the NYS Builders Association and National Association of Home Builders.

Member of Steering Committee

I have worked for the Nanuet School District for four years and have been the principal of  Highview School for two years.

I've always enjoyed watching the children—young and older—play in the park during the school year and in the summer months. I am looking forward to creating memories with our current students at Highview School as we design and build a new Highview Playground together.

Member of the Steering, Fundraising and Events Committees

I was born and raised in West Nyack and have resided in Nanuet since 1997. When our oldest child—who is now in College—was very young, we would bring her to the Highview Playground. We loved the place because a kid could really use their imagination in play. When it came down last fall I was saddened and volunteered to help. Since joining the steering committee I have gotten to know some incredibly talented and hard working people. I am delighted to be a member of the Steering, Fundraising and Events Committees as well as a special liason to the Town for the group.

In this role I have helped to organize meetings and seek Town government help where possible. Nanuet is a very special place; not once, but twice now in 20 years the community is banding together to build a park—not many places would attempt to do this once let alone twice. I am happy to be just a small part of the effort and look forward to hitting milestones like design day in anticipation of the big day.

Steering Committee

I moved to Rockland County from Queens 12 years ago and I really love it here! My two daughters attend school at Highview and Miller and keep me very busy. I coach girls softball and soccer.

I'm very excited about building a playground that they will enjoy for many years to come. It makes me proud to be part of a group of people who care so much about this community.