Ritchie Secures $50,000 to Help Orwell Rebuild Town Playground

State Senator Patty Ritchie is announcing she has secured $50,000 in special funding for the Town of Orwell to rehabilitate its community playground and town clock.

Finding ways to get children back outside to enjoy the outdoors continues to be a top priority for Senator Ritchie. Playgrounds allow children to put down the phones and use their imagination, all while learning and developing valuable social and life skills.

“Playgrounds can be the centerpiece of a small community.  On playgrounds our children meet one another, make friends and develop skills they will use throughout their lives. Our families can gather at a playground, spend quality time—off of the phone—with each other and their neighbors,” Senator Ritchie said. “I cannot stress enough how important it is for children to have the opportunity to get outside, play with other children, and do so in an environment that is fun and safe.”

“Our town playground is a safe place for our children to engage with one another, helping them to learn and develop physical and social skills. The Town of Orwell could not be happier that Senator Ritchie is making these efforts on behalf of our youth and families,” Town of Orwell Supervisor William Potter said.

The Town of Orwell was also able to use part of the funding to repair its 100-year-old town clock tower. The town converted its centerpiece—an antique brass mechanical clock that has not worked in some time—to an electronically controlled digital system that still utilizes the original bell and clock faces.