August 16, 2024 - In this issue: | |
Sojourner Truth Statue Installation at City Hall | |
Parks & Rec Staff Temporary Relocation | |
Ulster County Arts & Culture Plan Survey | |
City of Kingston Job Opportunities | |
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Mayor's Message:
Dear Friends -
We've had a great week of Music in the Parks events and we have one more to go! This Saturday, Alessandra will be playing Latin music at Hutton Park starting at 7:00pm, followed by a screening of the blockbuster movie, Barbie (with Spanish subtitles!). Hope to see you Saturday!
This week we announced that Kingston will have the absolute honor to host an incredible artwork here at City Hall. Sojourner Truth’s legacy lives on through works like Trina Greene’s First Step to Freedom statue, and through our community members who strive to honor and emulate her work each day. We look forward to hosting this integral piece of history starting in September, and opening it up to the public for all to enjoy.
-Steve
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Sojourner Truth Statue to be Installed at City Hall | |
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The City of Kingston will be host to Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom for an 11-month installation at City Hall.
Renowned sculptor Trina Greene’s Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom, a bronze statue of Isabella Baumfree Vanwagenen (later Sojourner Truth), depicted in 1826 as she is walking to freedom carrying her daughter, Sophia, will be displayed in the foyer at Kingston City Hall. The statue captures Truth’s escape from enslavement and the beginning of her heroic journey to advocate for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery.
On Saturday, September 28, the viewing opening at City Hall will be from 5:00pm-8:00pm. Programming will begin at 6:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers and will feature renowned actress Aixa Kendrick portraying Sojourner Truth, the Center for Creative Education dancers and drummers, Ulster County Poet Laureate Kate Hymes, and more. Light refreshments will be provided by Tilda’s Kitchen and Market. The event is free and open to all.
During the opening reception, original court documents will be on display that outline the story of Sojourner Truth returning to Ulster County to secure the return of her 5-year-old son, Peter, who had been illegally sold to a plantation in Alabama. With the help of local attorneys, she filed a Habeas Corpus Petition in the Ulster County Courthouse in March of 1828. She ultimately prevailed on the petition for her son’s freedom, marking the first time in American history that a Black woman sued a white man and won.
The Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom statue will be on display at Kingston City hall during regular business hours (Monday to Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm) from September 30, 2024, until August 2025. The City of Kingston’s Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs will host group tours, artist talks, and programming throughout the installation that will contextualize the artwork and Sojourner Truth’s legacy.
The Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom opening event is sponsored by the City of Kingston, SUNY New Paltz, Kingston’s Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Ulster County Tourism, Ulster Savings Bank, and Tilda’s Kitchen and Market. Special thanks to the Kingston Police Department Color Guard and the Radio Kingston tech team.
More about the artist Trina Greene at https://www.trinagreenesculpture.com/.
For further information, please visit www.engagekingston.com/sojourner-truth-first-step-to-freedom.
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Parks & Rec Staff Temporary Location at 20 Broadway | |
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During the asbestos abatement and lead remediation process at the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center, the Parks & Recreation Department will be temporarily relocated to 20 Broadway.
The Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center will undergo an extensive asbestos abatement and lead remediation project, starting next week that is expected to be completed by mid-October. During this time, all Recreation activities in the building have been moved or cancelled. The Parks & Recreation staff and the Health & Wellness Department will operate out of 20 Broadway, the former Visitor’s Center building, until the work is completed. The office will be open to the public.
Business hours for the Parks & Recreation office, for the remainder of August are 8:00am-4:00pm, and then will return to regular hours of 8:30am-4:30pm after Labor Day. Free ADA-accessible parking is available in the parking lot under the 9W bridge. Registration can be found at www.kingstonparksandrec.org or contact Elizabeth Johnson at 845-481-7330 or ejohnson@kingston-ny.gov.
The lead/asbestos work is being overseen by Quality Environmental Solutions & Technologies of Wappingers Falls. The abatement is being done by United Safety of Lincoln Park, NJ. R. Bradley Construction of Kingston will serve as general contractor and will restore the space for public access after the abatement is complete. Mobilization and site preparation has already begun, with the lead remediation expected to occur between August 19-October 8, 2024. Work will continue to occur with additional painting and installation of new bleachers and play equipment, which is expected to be completed by December, and will be funded by the City of Kingston’s ARPA funding.
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Collaborating with departments across City government, the Office of Grants Management secures and manages competitive grant funding for public infrastructure projects, programs, and services that improve the quality of life for residents.
Grant awards allow the City to implement a wide range of vital improvements that would not otherwise be accomplished. Examples of recent grant-funded work include the RAISE Weaving the Waterfront Transportation Project, Henry Street Safe Streets to Schools Project, the Dietz Stadium & Andretta Pool Improvements Project, the Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan, and the Kingston Point Park Improvements Project Phase 2, to name a few.
Several times a year, the Grants Department produces a comprehensive report to provide an update on the status of the City's active awards and the projects they fund. We invite you to check out the most recent, which can be found here: Grant Funding Report
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Rondout Music Festival Tomorrow | |
The Rondout Music Festival will take place tomorrow, Saturday, August 17 from 10:00am to 6:00pm at TR Gallo Park. The event will feature continuous live music, food vendors, crafts, and more! | |
29th Annual Soapbox Derby on Sunday | |
The Kingston Artist Soapbox Derby, a parade of non-motorized kinetic sculptures rolling down lower Broadway, will take place on Sunday, August 18 at 1:00pm. | |
Ulster County Arts & Culture Plan Town Hall | |
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Ulster County is creating its first-ever Arts and Culture Plan, a year-long initiative to craft a shared vision for the county’s arts and culture landscape. .
Share your thoughts through the Community Participation Survey. The survey is open until August 31, 2024, and is available in both English and Spanish.
Whether you're an artist, an art lover, or simply enjoy cultural events, your input will help shape a plan that benefits everyone. By participating, you'll contribute to strategies that enhance access to arts and cultural events, drive economic growth, promote social equity, and celebrate our unique heritage. Your insights will help develop goals that align with a collective vision of a thriving, prosperous, and culturally vibrant county.
Ulster County will hold a public meeting on August 27 at City Hall in Kingston. More info on the event here.
More on the Ulster County Arts & Culture Plan at https://participate.ulstercountyny.gov/arts-culture-plan.
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Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update | |
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Paving-- The tentative milling/paving schedule next week is, weather depending:
Monday, August 19: Milling on Millers Ln, and paving on Patriots Place and Heritage Court.
Tuesday, August 20: Milling on Broadway between West O’Reilly Street to McEntee Street, and paving on Grandview and Cummings.
Wednesday, August 21: Paving on Millers Lane.
Thursday and Friday, August 22-23: paving on Broadway between West O’Reilly Street to McEntee Street.
Schedule subject to change.
Clinton Avenue Intersection Project--work on drainage, lamps, and push buttons for crosswalks continue. Construction of sidewalks will begin along Clinton Avenue and into John St.
Prospect Street Sewer Project-- crews will continue with waterline replacement along Prospect Street.
Wurts Street Bridge -- crews will be working in the chambers filling cracks. There should be minor or no traffic impacts. Testing of the lights may occur next week.
Weekly roadwork updates will be posted on the City website here.
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City of Kingston Job & Board Opportunities | |
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The Kingston 311 app, website, and phone system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests.
The Kingston 311 app, available for Android & iPhones, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations. Photos can be attached to illustrate service orders.
This system is a valuable resource to submit municipal service requests. Examples include:
- Streetlight replacement
- City signage, including overgrowth blocking traffic signs
- Snow removal, reporting parking violations, and other snow-related issues
- Parks & playground repairs
- Report graffiti or vandalism
- Trail issues
Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us, use the app or visit www.kingston-ny.gov/311/
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Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
mayor@kingston-ny.gov
The purpose of this newsletter is to share important information, project updates, pictures and news from the City of Kingston. For more detailed information, visit:
www.kingston-ny.gov
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