A nonprofit organization is working to restore playground access at Delano-Hitch Park, more than a year after the city removed its previous equipment over safety concerns.

New City Parks, a nonprofit that designs and constructs parks and playgrounds in small cities, is partnering with Newburgh Plays — a local group of parents and community members — to plan and build a new playground at the park. The previous equipment was removed in 2025.

Rose Harvey, founder and executive director of New City Parks, presented the proposal to the Newburgh City Council during a work session May 7, asking the council for a letter of support to advance the project.

“The city’s not responsible for any costs, but we can’t go forward if we can’t even get a letter of approval,” Harvey said.

Funding for construction would come through NY PLAYS, a state initiative distributing $67.5 million in competitive grants to support the design, construction and renovation of public playgrounds across New York. The application deadline is June 15.

The city council is expected to discuss the agreement with New City Parks and the grant application at its May 21 work session and May 24 council meeting.
New City Parks, founded in 2020, has worked in nine cities across New York and New Jersey, including on Malcolm X Park in Poughkeepsie. The organization focuses on communities with limited access to parks and green space.

Newburgh currently has four playgrounds — at Audrey Carey Park, Tyrone Crabb Memorial Park, Hasbrouck Street Park and Xavier Lunan Park. The largest, Xavier Lunan Park, features two jungle gym structures and a splash pad.

The proposed Delano-Hitch playground would be sited adjacent to the park’s existing baseball field and divided into six zones, including a toddler play area, a central playground for elementary-aged children, a swing garden and a central gathering lawn.

Newburgh Plays will host a community listening day Tuesday, May 20, with three sessions for residents to view design concepts and share feedback. A morning session for families with toddlers and young children will be held at 9:30 a.m. at Little Friends Learning. An afternoon session for older children and their families is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Horizons on the Hudson. An evening session open to all will take place at 6 p.m. at Delano-Hitch Park.

Residents who cannot attend in person can submit feedback through an online survey at newburghplaygrounds.org.