Spring Fling returns to Lewiston

Playground groundbreaking part of festivities

At 11 a.m. Sunday, May 16, the Village of Lewiston Recreation Department will host its 25th annual Spring Fling One Mile Fun Run for Kids. This free event promotes community spirit along with physical fitness. All child participants will receive a completion medal along with a commemorative T-shirt.

Recreation Director Brendan McDermott said, “This year’s event will look a bit different than previous years as it will coincide with the ceremonial groundbreaking of the all-inclusive playground at Marilyn Toohey Park, located at 145 N. Fourth St., in Lewiston. We plan to embark on a ‘community build’ of the playground in late June/early July of 2021. Further information regarding the community build will be publicized soon.

“To help finance this free event and to raise funds for the playground, we will hold our annual basket auction. We appreciate it if you would consider us for a donation from your business. We accept gift cards and completed baskets for our auction, as well as cash/check donations. All proceeds from the event will go toward the completion of the all-inclusive playground. We have already raised $550,000 towards the total cost of the playground! But as it stands, we are about $100,000 short of our total goal to complete the playground. It is our hope that this event will help close that gap!

“As a thank you for your donation, we will have signs listing our sponsors at the event as well as additional postings on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media pages.”

Email [email protected] to donate and have the rec. department staff pick up the donation from a local location of choice. Donations can also be dropped off to the Village of Lewiston clerk’s office in the Red Brick Municipal Building (same address as above) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays, or at the Red Brick recreation office between 4-8 p.m. weekdays. Donations also can be mailed to Attn: Village of Lewiston Recreation Dept., P.O. Box 325, Lewiston, NY 14092. Checks can be made out to “Village of Lewiston Recreation Department.”

McDermott said, “As a recreation program provider, having access to an all-inclusive playground will give our community a venue in which to provide even more opportunities for all community members. The all-inclusive playground will also enable all of our park patrons with an environment to engage and enjoy the outdoors in a safe and fun venue in which to interact with peers. Parks and playgrounds bring people together; the all-inclusive playground has the power to enhance opportunities for families across the region.”