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Celebrating 50 years of play

| 23 Jun 2016 | 01:54
    People enjoy the BBQ under one of the park's pavilions.
    People enjoy the BBQ under one of the park's pavilions.
    Cutting the anniversary cake: From left to right, Park Commissioners Anthony Vaccaro, Joe Mancusso, Ann Marie Morris and Andy Calvano.
    Cutting the anniversary cake: From left to right, Park Commissioners Anthony Vaccaro, Joe Mancusso, Ann Marie Morris and Andy Calvano.
    Photos by Linda Mastrogiacomo Karina Cirillo gets her face painted by Dominique Jennings.
    Photos by Linda Mastrogiacomo Karina Cirillo gets her face painted by Dominique Jennings.
    Dominic Rizzo of Rizzo's Reptiles shows a group of young people a python.
    Dominic Rizzo of Rizzo's Reptiles shows a group of young people a python.
    Photos by Linda Mastrogiacomo Greg Tucker having a good time.
    Photos by Linda Mastrogiacomo Greg Tucker having a good time.
    Francesca Sass prepares to ride the mechanical bull.
    Francesca Sass prepares to ride the mechanical bull.
    Celebrating 50 years of play
    Kendro Zamora rides the mechanical bull.
    Kendro Zamora rides the mechanical bull.

MONROE — The Monroe Joint Park and Recreation Commission hosted a community barbecue last Saturday, June 18, to celebration the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of Smith’s Clove Park.
Roscoe W. Smith , a founder of Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc., donated the land with one stipulation - the property would only be used as a park. The 80-acre park, located on Spring Street opened in 1966.
The celebration isn’t finished, though.
Park Director Joseph Mancuso said plans are underway for a time capsule. Among the items to be included will be photographs of Saturday’s event, the winning poster from a contest (What will Smith’s Clove Park look like in 50 years), names of past commissioners, photos from the 1965 dedication, photo’s from Saturday, a pin created recognizing the 50th, the 50th anniversary program, the banner used to advertise the event, a message from Chairman John Battaglia and a copy of the speech by Dr. T. Mitchell Bundrant , the first park chairman.
No date has been set for burying the time capsule. It will be open 50 years from now.