You would think Draper Park would be full of people on a sunny and warm October weekend, but on Saturday it was not.
Five years ago, the first time I was there, I was impressed with Draper Park in Albany. The park seemed even nicer when I found myself there again yesterday, on Oct. 19, 2024.
Here, check it out:
In August 2019, I discovered this little park on a random bike bike. Saturday I ended up there more or less by chance again.
What I wrote then still goes. If you want to read it, you can find the story here. (hh)
Thank you for showing off the best of Albany.
Thanks for showing one of the lovely parks of Albany.
I don’t know if he’s responsible for this one, but former parks director Dave Clark is one of the best things that ever happened to Albany.
Thanks for the pictures and report on Draper Park. You wondered why there wasn’t a pick-up soccer game going. The kids are all glued to their smart phones, Hasso.
Oh, speaking of parks, what was the damage that vandals did to the new Monteith kiddie’s park? You mentioned that a while back when blogging about the sheet metal panels stolen from the piers, but you didn’t detail the damage to Monteith Park.
Two square concrete slabs were recently installed in the northwest area of the park; one next to the doggy station and one near the bench. I can’t figure out what the heck they are for…
Another oddity at Draper: the picnic tables are at the northeast corner but the trash can is at the northwest corner. I’m sure this is why I find a lot of trash near the picnic tables. People can’t bring themselves to walk a hundred or so feet to toss their trash.
Speaking of smart phones, one day I was entering Draper Park on 32nd street and this guy with his face in his phone was exiting and crashed right into me (no we didn’t exchange information, lol).
I walk through that park once or twice a week and I have never seen the big area used for anything but dog playing. Kids seem to prefer the play equipment.
As for those concrete pads, Rick Barnett of Albany Parks replied to your question:
This winter the concrete pads at Draper Park will get new ADA picnic tables mounted on them. We received federal grant funding to do several ADA concrete improvements. Total grant was $200,000. Cost for all of the work is right at $200,000. The contractor is K+E Excavation.
Already Completed:
1 New ramp and table pad at Takena Landing
1 New ramp and 2 table pads at Draper Park
3 New/Replacement ramps at Eleanor Hackleman Park
1 New ramp at Swanson Park
1 New ramp at Lehigh park (will support the new playground we are putting in)
Will happen before the end of the year:
Replace concrete squares in upper Bryant Shelter with a solid pad
2 New table pads at Riverview Heights park
A path to the tennis courts and 1 table pad at Burkhart Park
2 Table Pads at Periwinkle Park